Opened on 25th. Dark wine, good cork pull, I think i originally said cork, while not infiltrated at all, was slightly soft, but not to the point of softness. Today I examine and it's just fine (it's dried out now.) End stained deep maroon. Thought this almost 16 year old petite syrah would have lost its fruit, but not the case. It was there and nothing like raspberry or other berries, but something deeper. Also had a medium palate and perhaps a 30 second finish. This felt like it was a great mix of still hanging on fruit and soil so that each complemented the other, and neither overwhelmed or was dominant. A pleasant surprise since I had low expectations. In truth, I forgot I had this. Ready now, drink before the fruit goes away. Recommended as one of the better petite syrahs I've had.
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WOW! I am not a big Syrah fan, but this blew me away. Blueberry on the nose and palette, along with other darker fruits. Never had a blueberry taste dominate in a wine however. Tannins are well integrated with an hour and a half double decant. Silky smooth and perfectly balanced. Big, but not overwhelming. The crispness of a fine Bordeaux without the earthiness. Imagine a good Napa Cab, one void of the syrupy concentration found in so many over -worked wines there. Do not share this....
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Dark purple, youthful color. Rich and ripe nose. Big flavor and tannin on palate with corn husk nuance. Very youthful. This wine will age a LONG time! Finish is very long. Drink or hold for 10+ yrs. high quality cork locks in the aging potential.
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A bit of licorice to go with pretty blueberry and blackberries. Nicely rounded, with sweet tannins, some minerality and plenty of dark fruits. In a good place now but should last at least 5 more years. 92 points
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The deepest darkest red, this opens up with aeration to a bouquet of gentle fruit, smoked bacon, and underbrush. Then wows on the palate with penetrating gobs of lovely, welcoming fruit. Tannins are big and sweet but unobtrusive. Certainly ready to drink but also not going anywhere. Now-2029 ... but if you stumble on one in a dark corner of your cellar in 2040 it'll probably be great then too.
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Opaque center with magenta corona. This is very expressive on the nose, with aromas of freshly baked cherry pie. The palate initially has dark vegetable flavors of eggplant, but secondary flavors are inhibited by the very tight tannins. Allowed to decant overnight, this mellows significantly and allows a lush, broad set of fruit flavors to emerge, accented by rocky and spicy notes that were previously subdued. Would recommend allowing this to age for at least three more years, or alternately decanting for a few hours before enjoying now.
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Viscous, opaque and heavy wine. Not particularly well balanced, but a rich bouquet and finish. Long finish of spice, tobacco, berry currants and a touch of mocha. Not sure how long this will cellar- quite a bit of heat.
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Very nice, though I hoped for a bit more flavor. We probably drank it too fast; let this one breathe for a bit. Nice texture and complexity though; very good bottle.
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nose; campfire smoke, graphite, floral, and black currants. palate; black licorice, dark chocolate, game meats, and the best blueberry jam ever made. full bodied. medium plus tannins. 60 plus second finish. decanted for 4 hours. this is a wonderful expression of petite sirah. kudos to Craig Becker. i've been really loving petite sirah's for some time now, this is another high on my list.
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Very dark, almost pitch black with only a thin purple rim. Decanted straight out of the cellar, and I believe the nose was stunted at first by the chill. Over several hours of decanting the aromas of cocoa and spice started to be more prominent. Alas, the palate never really caught up - normal flavors of dark fruit and earth but altogether less concentrated than I had hoped. Medium finish but again, given the vintage and the color I expected this to be a real knockout. Overall good, a fair buy for the price but I'm not in a hurry to restock given the number of blockbuster wines from 2007.
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I tend to have more of a California pallet, so this wine with it's rich texture, full body, big fruit and smooth tannins is right up my alley. I'll be buying more of this wine.
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Double decanted and let sit for 4 hours before consuming; however, this was still not nearly enough time as it was still tight as a fist. Planning on letting my last two bottles sit in the back of the cellar for 10 years before considering again, or decanting and let it breathe for 24 hours. Very excited for its prospects in the future given the massive extraction and good balance.
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** Color: Deep Puple - almost eggplant Nose: Flowers - violets perhaps with a dash of berry fruit Taste: Upfront licorice with black current and black cherry and a hint of flowers.
The tannins linger in this bottle but do not bite. Such a deep, full mouth wine with a roundness I usually associate with aging. Beautiful petit sirah - I have 3 more. If I could be sure this would age well, I'd purchase a case. Do not hesistate to drink this now - I is wonderful.
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I was expecting this to be a fruit bomb, but instead it was a subtle, elegant, and refined beauty. Almost hard to believe that this is the same varietal as the Marietta Petite Sirah which is like a fruit explosion in your mouth. The nose is restrained and I get crushed dark fruit and stone on the palate with a slight hint of incense . Semi-dry, with fine tannins which give beautiful structure and contribute to the lengthy finish. I downed this mostly on my own over two days. I'm seriously considering reloading at the $33 a bottle Binny's has it at right now.
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12/26/2022 - pmarlo Likes this wine: 91 Points
Opened on 25th. Dark wine, good cork pull, I think i originally said cork, while not infiltrated at all, was slightly soft, but not to the point of softness. Today I examine and it's just fine (it's dried out now.) End stained deep maroon. Thought this almost 16 year old petite syrah would have lost its fruit, but not the case. It was there and nothing like raspberry or other berries, but something deeper. Also had a medium palate and perhaps a 30 second finish. This felt like it was a great mix of still hanging on fruit and soil so that each complemented the other, and neither overwhelmed or was dominant. A pleasant surprise since I had low expectations. In truth, I forgot I had this. Ready now, drink before the fruit goes away. Recommended as one of the better petite syrahs I've had.
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10/26/2022 - sastewart wrote: 92 Points
Similar to my previous note. still on a nice plateau. I expect this still has a few years left. 92 points
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1/30/2022 - Highlander wrote:
WOW! I am not a big Syrah fan, but this blew me away. Blueberry on the nose and palette, along with other darker fruits. Never had a blueberry taste dominate in a wine however. Tannins are well integrated with an hour and a half double decant. Silky smooth and perfectly balanced. Big, but not overwhelming. The crispness of a fine Bordeaux without the earthiness. Imagine a good Napa Cab, one void of the syrupy concentration found in so many over -worked wines there. Do not share this....
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5/13/2021 - gjv115 wrote:
WOTN
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9/7/2019 - ephorn Likes this wine: 94 Points
Dark purple, youthful color. Rich and ripe nose. Big flavor and tannin on palate with corn husk nuance. Very youthful. This wine will age a LONG time! Finish is very long. Drink or hold for 10+ yrs. high quality cork locks in the aging potential.
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7/4/2019 - sastewart wrote: 92 Points
A bit of licorice to go with pretty blueberry and blackberries. Nicely rounded, with sweet tannins, some minerality and plenty of dark fruits. In a good place now but should last at least 5 more years. 92 points
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4/25/2019 - Rollerball wrote: 94 Points
The deepest darkest red, this opens up with aeration to a bouquet of gentle fruit, smoked bacon, and underbrush. Then wows on the palate with penetrating gobs of lovely, welcoming fruit. Tannins are big and sweet but unobtrusive. Certainly ready to drink but also not going anywhere.
Now-2029 ... but if you stumble on one in a dark corner of your cellar in 2040 it'll probably be great then too.
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1/2/2019 - vacpl Likes this wine: 91 Points
Good to drink now, still might have a few years left of aging.
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12/30/2015 - oenophilemoose wrote:
Requires a long decant of 4 hours or more to take the edges off, especially on the finish. More cellar time?
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10/14/2015 - ctjared wrote:
needs food and air
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1/11/2014 - Tarokun wrote: 88 Points
Nice!
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11/6/2013 - NineteenEightyTwo Likes this wine: 91 Points
Opaque center with magenta corona. This is very expressive on the nose, with aromas of freshly baked cherry pie. The palate initially has dark vegetable flavors of eggplant, but secondary flavors are inhibited by the very tight tannins. Allowed to decant overnight, this mellows significantly and allows a lush, broad set of fruit flavors to emerge, accented by rocky and spicy notes that were previously subdued. Would recommend allowing this to age for at least three more years, or alternately decanting for a few hours before enjoying now.
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2/9/2013 - bwaverley wrote: 89 Points
Viscous, opaque and heavy wine. Not particularly well balanced, but a rich bouquet and finish. Long finish of spice, tobacco, berry currants and a touch of mocha. Not sure how long this will cellar- quite a bit of heat.
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11/30/2012 - samwise801 wrote: 88 Points
Very nice, though I hoped for a bit more flavor. We probably drank it too fast; let this one breathe for a bit. Nice texture and complexity though; very good bottle.
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9/2/2012 - botrytisvirtuoso1819 wrote: 96 Points
nose; campfire smoke, graphite, floral, and black currants.
palate; black licorice, dark chocolate, game meats, and the best blueberry jam ever made.
full bodied.
medium plus tannins.
60 plus second finish.
decanted for 4 hours.
this is a wonderful expression of petite sirah.
kudos to Craig Becker.
i've been really loving petite sirah's for some time now, this is another high on my list.
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7/11/2012 - NineteenEightyTwo wrote: 90 Points
Very dark, almost pitch black with only a thin purple rim. Decanted straight out of the cellar, and I believe the nose was stunted at first by the chill. Over several hours of decanting the aromas of cocoa and spice started to be more prominent. Alas, the palate never really caught up - normal flavors of dark fruit and earth but altogether less concentrated than I had hoped. Medium finish but again, given the vintage and the color I expected this to be a real knockout. Overall good, a fair buy for the price but I'm not in a hurry to restock given the number of blockbuster wines from 2007.
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6/4/2012 - pikemasterflash wrote:
Deep crimson in color. Very thick, viscous and almost syrupy. A bit too puckering for me at this stage.
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5/12/2012 - Rcorrao wrote: 93 Points
Inky. Depth in big dark fruit. Some heat. Great.
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5/1/2012 - ctjared wrote:
Big dark fruity nose. Dusty/smooth tannins. medium to long finish. Momma likes it (lets see if she is consistent on the next one).
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10/14/2011 - cnsolsen wrote:
Enjoyed very much.
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7/27/2011 - colimack77 wrote: 94 Points
I tend to have more of a California pallet, so this wine with it's rich texture, full body, big fruit and smooth tannins is right up my alley. I'll be buying more of this wine.
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7/16/2011 - dav_slu wrote: 94 Points
Double decanted and let sit for 4 hours before consuming; however, this was still not nearly enough time as it was still tight as a fist. Planning on letting my last two bottles sit in the back of the cellar for 10 years before considering again, or decanting and let it breathe for 24 hours. Very excited for its prospects in the future given the massive extraction and good balance.
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3/30/2011 - smahk wrote: 93 Points
**
Color: Deep Puple - almost eggplant
Nose: Flowers - violets perhaps with a dash of berry fruit
Taste: Upfront licorice with black current and black cherry and a hint of flowers.
The tannins linger in this bottle but do not bite. Such a deep, full mouth wine with a roundness I usually associate with aging.
Beautiful petit sirah - I have 3 more. If I could be sure this would age well, I'd purchase a case. Do not hesistate to drink this now - I is wonderful.
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2/19/2011 - Pointchaser wrote: 94 Points
I was expecting this to be a fruit bomb, but instead it was a subtle, elegant, and refined beauty. Almost hard to believe that this is the same varietal as the Marietta Petite Sirah which is like a fruit explosion in your mouth. The nose is restrained and I get crushed dark fruit and stone on the palate with a slight hint of incense . Semi-dry, with fine tannins which give beautiful structure and contribute to the lengthy finish. I downed this mostly on my own over two days. I'm seriously considering reloading at the $33 a bottle Binny's has it at right now.
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1/20/2011 - John McCabe wrote: 94 Points
Huge concentration and very plush. A very good example of this varietal, although I personally enjoyed the cab of the same vintage better.
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