Opened about 90 minutes before drinking (with grilled lamb chops). This had a 99 point nose that jumped out of the glass - dark berries, grilled meat, smoke, and bramble/underbrush/garrigue. Same stuff on the palate, but dominated by berries. Fairly rich, but it had a fairly short finish that became more abrupt over the course of an hour or so. The finish was dominated by a citrus-like acidity that grew increasingly more pronounced. Great wine with food, but less enjoyable by itself.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Didn't open until about 20 minutes before dinner. Dark, almost black, with an assertive nose (blueberries). My initial impression was the same as with a bottle a couple months ago - rich and tasty, but a little too brooding, heavy, and ponderous (like an Aussie shiraz without the eucalyptus). However, after another 30 to 40 minutes, it began to open up and lighten up. The heaviness had morphed into raciness, and it was showing an almost citrus-like lift on the finish. Still had good viscosity, but the fruit danced on my tongue long after it had been swallowed. It obviously needs an hour or more of breathing. Needless to say, it's a winner that may just now be approaching its peak.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Bought this solely because of my love for Venge's syrah from Gladys' Vineyard (which they no longer make). Dark, almost black color. Nice nose - black and blue fruits, with a hint of heat. Blueberries. Nice and rich, with a solid finish. It may be me, or it may have been my mood, but I was expecting something a little lighter and a little zestier. This struck me as a little too heavy and ponderous. Probably better suited to go with really rich food on a cold winter night.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
(A) Huge wine, completely distinct from my sample at the winery last year. Either this was a pure luck bottle, or it has simply evolved tremendously in the last year. I prefer the latter. Pine, blue fruit, oak, and warm spices on the nose. An explosive smell that keeps you sticking your whole face back in the glass. The flavors follow-through to a "T", with blue and black fruits, a bit of tar, and a garam-masala like side palate spice. The finish lasts 30-45 seconds. Fatty mouthfeel, with rounded tannins. What an expression of syrah!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
3/26/2016 - Night Train Likes this wine: 93 Points
Opened about 90 minutes before drinking (with grilled lamb chops). This had a 99 point nose that jumped out of the glass - dark berries, grilled meat, smoke, and bramble/underbrush/garrigue. Same stuff on the palate, but dominated by berries. Fairly rich, but it had a fairly short finish that became more abrupt over the course of an hour or so. The finish was dominated by a citrus-like acidity that grew increasingly more pronounced. Great wine with food, but less enjoyable by itself.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/15/2015 - Night Train Likes this wine: 90 Points
Didn't open until about 20 minutes before dinner. Dark, almost black, with an assertive nose (blueberries). My initial impression was the same as with a bottle a couple months ago - rich and tasty, but a little too brooding, heavy, and ponderous (like an Aussie shiraz without the eucalyptus). However, after another 30 to 40 minutes, it began to open up and lighten up. The heaviness had morphed into raciness, and it was showing an almost citrus-like lift on the finish. Still had good viscosity, but the fruit danced on my tongue long after it had been swallowed. It obviously needs an hour or more of breathing. Needless to say, it's a winner that may just now be approaching its peak.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/9/2015 - Night Train wrote: 87 Points
Bought this solely because of my love for Venge's syrah from Gladys' Vineyard (which they no longer make). Dark, almost black color. Nice nose - black and blue fruits, with a hint of heat. Blueberries. Nice and rich, with a solid finish. It may be me, or it may have been my mood, but I was expecting something a little lighter and a little zestier. This struck me as a little too heavy and ponderous. Probably better suited to go with really rich food on a cold winter night.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/27/2013 - ZeeCellar wrote:
In Fridge
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/25/2011 - bgreenak wrote: 90 Points
Decanted for 4 hours. Wonderful fruit on the nose. Balanced, nice finish. Another quality effort from Venge.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/28/2011 - prettydeceextrap wrote: 94 Points
(A) Huge wine, completely distinct from my sample at the winery last year. Either this was a pure luck bottle, or it has simply evolved tremendously in the last year. I prefer the latter. Pine, blue fruit, oak, and warm spices on the nose. An explosive smell that keeps you sticking your whole face back in the glass. The flavors follow-through to a "T", with blue and black fruits, a bit of tar, and a garam-masala like side palate spice. The finish lasts 30-45 seconds. Fatty mouthfeel, with rounded tannins. What an expression of syrah!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/24/2010 - prettydeceextrap wrote: 90 Points
Winery Tastings, October 2010; 10/22/2010-10/25/2010 (Mt. Veeder, Oakville, Spring Mountain, St. Helena, Calistoga, Napa): A well integrated Syrah. Perhaps meant to age, I think it is drinking well now. Big dark fruit, with enough "fatty" mouthfeel to stand up to big food. Still distinctly Syrah.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment