PnP’d. Paired with duck and fettuccine with truffles. Opened very olive and cigar box, but really transformed 90 minutes later into a very tasty spicy treat. Most of the primary fruit is gone, but it still needs a good decant at this point in time.
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Popped & poured. Been a minute since I've had this one, and it did not disappoint! Lots of savory aromas and flavors, from seaweed to espresso coffee, roasted beef, black olive, charred earth, and hints of cedar. Sweet-yet-tart huckleberry fruit, some blueberry and vanilla. Nice acidity still, and a bit of dry tannin on the finish. Outstanding wine, unfortunately my last bottle. Sure wish I'd bought more! Still has lots of life ahead, so no rush to drink this one. Enjoy now - 2029+.
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I said last time (2019) I was going to drink in a year but this got lost up high and in back of the cellar and I found it just now. Totally worth the wait. I didn’t take notes last night but I loved it. I wish I had more
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My last 14 was just a bit past prime - but this felt like it was at peak. Wonderful plum and black currant. Incredible nose with meats, hints of leather and the glorious fruit.
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Drank over two days, with notes reflecting tasting on day two.
Inky core with purple color starting to fade toward garnet on the rim.
Powerful meaty aromas upon first opening developed into a complex nose of black olives, blackberry/black raspberry, slate rock minerality, licorice, cured meat, vanilla bean, and a touch of a green peppercorn/stemmy quality.
Palate has impeccable balance. Ripe and plush tannins give a rich and unctuous mouthfeel with a chocolatey plum-like flavor.
This wine delivers exactly what I love about Syrah (especially from WA)--explosive aromatics with a seductive combination of fruity and savory qualities supported by a backbone of minerality and a palate with density and focus that makes every sip just so darned satisfying.
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Rich nose of dark fruit, cooked blackberries, bacon, graphite/leather. Fresh dark berry juice with a hint of tart cranberry balances the earthy notes and lifts the finish. Complex and balanced like a composed three course meal.
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40 minute decant. I just love this wine. V - Clear deep purple with med meniscus and high viscosity N - Starts with both black and red fruit - like a fruit stand. Plum, black currant, blueberry, blackberry, cherry and raspberry. Bramble, green herbs and smoked meats. P - The black fruit dominates early, as notes of braised pork, licorice and clove swirl around. S - Full bodied, med+ acidity, fine med tannins with long finish. Med+ complexity. I've been having one per year for a while now. Only a few left!
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Roasted plums, allspice and olive tapenade come together in this wonderful Washington Syrah. Silky texture along with a balanced profile is delightful. Aromatically pleasing. This has the structure to drink well over the next five to seven years. Good juice.
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Delicious. Strong tannins, great fruit, many years of life ahead. These K Vintners, no matter the vintage or vineyard, seem to carry a quality of vanilla and spice of their own. Always good. 92+
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Color/App: deep ruby core -> medium-deep ruby rim with a touch of bricking; medium+ viscosity. Bouquet of boysenberries and blueberries, olive brine and earth with a bit of funk (less than Cayuse). Big palate of black cherries and other black fruits, bramble, earth and anisette. Alcohol (15%) hidden well though the midpalate fruit comes through as fairly sweet. Good acidity and reasonably long finish. I'd say this will probably hold at this level for at least another 5 years but I don't see it changing (or improving) much from here.
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This wine had many layers of flavors. Big dense black and blue fruit, black pepper, sweet tobacco, and earth. A hint of salinity and olives came through after a few hours. Moderate velvety tannins.
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Popped and poured. Cork is perfect. The wine pours a deep ruby with a slightly browning rim and moderate staining of the tears; medium+ viscosity. On the nose, medium+ intensity with a mix of black and blue fruits; brambles and blueberries with some bacon fat and purple flowers. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannins and medium acid. Confirming the dark, mostly desiccated fruit with prunes, dates and figs and baking spice. Loads of secondary characteristics with olive brine, leather and some black pepper hanging about. Sort of an umami bomb. The wine is good and very alive but comes across fairly advanced for it age. If I had more, I would drink them this week.
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Served at the Holiday dinner party and it was the #2 wine of the night. Big olive brine nose and taste after opening but that settled down after a bit. Fully ready to go, my last bottle.
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This is expressive and completely on point for what it is. SFWL's TN directionally accurate, feel there are few finer examples of WA syrah to compete with this. What it gives over the top is balanced by a complex bottom that makes it a lays potato chip, can't have just one pour. Hitting its stride and will continue to reward for ~3-5 more.
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Just another evening of good wine and cheer (Chilly Noe Valley): Brought by Laz as a coravin pour to our tasting. On the nose and palate, plums, black cherries, mixed dark berries, earthiness, garrigue, smoked meats, olives, sweet spice and dark florals and a note of booziness. Purplish black, medium+ bodied, thick legs. Well-integrated but present tannins, light acidity, a touch of heat on the tail. Very complex, persistent and intense. Very interested to try this, as I’m going through a bit of a thing with WA wines, and although I’d not previously tasted this, have a bottle of the ‘16 myself. This has many classic N. Rhône’s notes, but at its young age, its vibrant fruit and high-ish abv (15%) signals it as a clear New World wine. Lighter on its feet than many of the Central Coast Rhône’s, this wine’s depth and expressiveness put it a cut above the ‘16 Betz Patriarch I’ve been drinking, at least at the moment, and it was great both on its own and with the charcuterie. A bit more freshness could have really elevated the profile, and made me think that, while this should have several years of good drinking left, the likelihood that it will improve is small, so consumption sooner than later is advised. Really enjoyable wine and killer qpr, but smoked on this night by the other reds, which is what you’d expect at 5x the tab. 93+
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Nose of Black plum, prune, sweet tobacco, black cherry, black cardamom and violet. Drinking well with notes of black plum and cardamom. Soft tannins and a well balance wine.
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Powerful. Opened as a bright strawberry Grenache, then with a little air morphed in the big juicy dark brooding earthy and meaty Syrah we know. Really love this wine. Looking forward to the next bottle.
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1 hr decant. Clear, deep purple with medium garnet meniscus. High Viscosity. N - Some funk but a bit less than I remembered. Plum, blackberry, olive, smoked meats and cocoa. Bit of bramble later on. P - Same fruit, smoked meats with plenty of funk. Wonderful. Full bodied. Tannins still there but med+ at this point, acid seems lower. Long finish with medium+ complexity. Still going strong but I didn't feel it is getting better at this point.
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My tastes have definitely changed dramatically over the years. I used to like this style, and while I can appreciate it for the quality - it just doesn't do it for me anymore. Still a well made, nuanced, and compelling wine. This wine is still very primary, and it will require a few more years to mellow out.
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Decanted with berry notes filling the air. No sediment. Salty olive, stone and savory goodness throughout. Plenty of fruit to balance out and not overtly funky. Resembles Northern Rhone more than The Rocks.
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PnP -- meat! Smoothed out over time. Mineral, spice, dried red fruit. Balanced. Tannins are well integrated at this stage. Paired well with lamb meatballs. Me - 92, Wife - 92
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40 min decant. Clear, deep garnet, with purple hues on barely medium meniscus. High viscosity. N of dark fruits with olive, smoky meets, leather and the funk. P confirms the core of dark fruits with raspberry as well, and smoked meats, more smoked meats and bacon, as well as sourdough. Dry, full-bodied, Medium acidity with fine high tannins. Long finish with layered complexity - alternating fruits and meats. Really enjoyed.
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Popped and poured. This is a powerful Syrah. Very dark and viscous, quite opaque, with aromas of bacon fat and smoked meat. Smells for all the world like a top-flight Cote-Rotie. Big presence in the mouth, with tons of ripe berry fruit and lavender. Creamy-smooth, almost chocolatey finish. If you want to know what great Northern Rhones taste (and even more, smell) like, but don't have the coin to find out, this is not a bad facsimile. 5-14-17-9: 95/100.
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Cf. the CellarTracker Article link [lower lft] to get specific info for this vintage, including acclaim.
≈30 min decant into a plastic, cylindrical pitcher which was then capped; NO sediment; Private Preserve after Day 1
N: Somewhat tough to parse; Grn beans init, RIPE blkberries which gained intensity over time; Grn olives, then blk olives
P: Med body; Nice, almost swtish frt met by an astringent pucker which SLOWLY, fairly seamlessly morphs into a LONG, ult pleasantly balanced finish with an interesting bitter/swtness to the basically negligible tannins. Went QUITE well with the Smkd BBQ Pk Ribs & Smkd BBQ Pulled Pk Butt, including the vinegar-based BBQ sauce, the TJ's Whl Kernel Swt Corn being > challenging, & the Baked Potato even > so. In the case of the meats, the wine's multifaceted flavors seemed to complement those of the smoked pk.
// Day 2: Still fragrant, even tougher to parse, though with added notes of blk pepper that I didn't sense on Day 1. P has held VERY well, working nicely with tonight's Coq Au Vin (HmMd).
// Day 4: Still impressively fragrant -- & no easier to parse; P has held acceptably, the bitterness up, though that wasn't particularly problematic with the Grilled Grnd BEEF/Blue Cheese & Grilled Steaks.
// ∑: Our best (cellared) bottle of this, possibly abetted by the decreased decanting time I gave it? A *solid* EXC, & should drink through '24, poss longer.
Note: Also tasted on 6/3 & 6/17/17, 8/23/20, + 1/22/21.
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Opened with big aromas and a lot of olive brine notes. Settled down and smoothed out nicely over a big charcuterie board. Really memorable long long finish.
Cf. the CellarTracker Article link [lower lft] to get specific info for this vintage, including acclaim.
≈1:25 hr decant into a plastic, cylindrical pitcher which was then capped; NO sediment; Private Preserve after Day 1
N: Tough to parse, but seems a melding of earth, probably pyrazines, with a spiciness & hints of ripe plums; Coffee coming on with addt'l swirling?
P: Med body; RNDISH entry with NICE, almost swtish frt met by an astringent pucker which slowly, seamlessly evolves into a LONG finish with an intriguing bitter/swtness to the minimal, fairly innocuous tannins. Did very well with our Smkd BBQ Chx, Smkd BBQ Pk Ribs, & TJ's Whl Kernel Swt Corn, but NOT with the Bush's Baked Beans. [The swtness of the BBQ/Corn brought out a MILD, counterbalancing bitterness in the wine, whereas the Beans brought out a far > potent version.]
// Day 2: Aromas ≈, but considerably < intense; P ≈ Day 1's, with poss a bit > bitterness, at least init. The wine didn't work with Beef Chili & Beans [HmMd], but as that's a difficult pairing...
∑: 14.5% ABV; My EXC-/EXC, the extra 25 mins in the decanter (cf'd the bottle of 8/23/20) possibly keeping it from the higher? Also, I'll keep the drink through '25 time range I said then, though I'm not at all certain addt'l cellaring will improve this.
Note: Also tasted on 6/3 & 6/17/17 + 8/23/20.
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I had this wine a few years ago and although I normally prefer lots of age on my Syrah, this one was better back then. Or has my palate changed? Improved with a few hours of air. Dominated by savory flavors of olives and herbs with some black fruit in the background. What made it less enjoyable for me was a salinity on the finish that took away from the overall experience. It made me want to drink water instead of another sip of wine.
I opened this for my birthday, and it was great, but I was definitely disappointed and thought it was overrated. What was all the hype behind this Syrah?
Aromas of prunes, fig, olive, blood, and leather on the nose. Tastes of plum, blood, and pepper on the palate. Medium(+) bodied with medium, silky tannins. Long finish
This is still drinking well but I’m not sure this is has a long life ahead. Beautiful texture and weight. Charcuterie, green olive and dark fruits of plum and blackberries. A little lacking in acidity to give it that needed zip to send it to another level. Overall good wine.
Nose is expressive with red fruit, tobacco leaf and touch of bay leaf. Wine is unstructured but loaded with flavors. Seems red fruit early, and a pinch of pepper in the middle. Smoked meat dominates late with some nice acidity that keeps the wine alive.
Clearly not built to age and feels at its peak. Enjoyable and will need to try pairing with some food.
Next day I got a distinctive and odd nose of pickles but mostly pickled okra. Fruit still there and deeper, richer. The finish has hints of the pickles and some cured meat but more like salami or spiced meat.
Based on how this wine drank with a one hour decant it was a bit disappointing. Nose was a bit on the soy sauce side and did not show a lot of fruit. Palate was nice and had some black fruit and earthiness to it. Just did not meet my expectation give some of the scores it had received.
medium ruby violet fading to garnet rim; dark berries, black olives, black peppercorns, charcoal, beef jerky, prominent stem character; more savory than fruity on the palate with peppery finish; full bodied, medium+ acidity, medium+ tannin, 15% ABV; winemaker Charles Smith, 100% Syrah with 100% stem inclusion, aged 27 months in 53% new French puncheons; Powerline vineyard was planted in 2012 at foothills of Blue Mountains at 1200 feet elevation, in cobblestone river rocks with underlying sand and gravel; $46
Cf. the CellarTracker Article link [lower lft] to get specific info for this vintage, including acclaim.
≈1 hr decant into a plastic, cylindrical pitcher which was then closed; NO sediment; Private Preserve after Day 1
N: Olive brine atop soy, poss umami, with notes of ripe berries underneath & hints of pyrazines; Somewhat difficult to parse; Intensity lurking?
P: Med body; Nice, almost swtish frt met by an astringent pucker which seamlessly transitions into a LONG, balanced finish with an intriguing bitter/swt/tangy trialectic to the ult quite pleasant finish. Went VERY well with both Smkd BBQ Brisket & Smkd Pk BBQ Ribs, *slightly* better with the former cf'd to the latter. Moreover, it sang even louder with addt'l air time. My EXC (92,93 /100 using that metric), & based upon Day 1, should sail through '25. However, needs flavorful entrées in order to put its best foot forward. // Day 2: A tad overchilled, the aromas seemed similar, though I can't say for sure 'cuz of the temp. Though it was passable with the night's Spinach Stuffed Ravioli, Marinara, & IT Sausages, it's not a match I'd strive to repeat as the wine showed better by itself. Nonetheless, I'm sticking with Day 1's "score" as long as it's paired judiciously, very likely including flavorful cuts of meat (beef?). [As of early Sep '20, wine-searcher still shows 1 source @ $90].
Note: 1st tasted on 6/3 & 6/17/17. Also, definitely *not* N. Rhone in style, nor did it strike me as being much like any CA or Aussie Syrahs/Shirazes I can recall tasting. Rather, this struck me as having more in common with the precious few Syrahs I've tasted from The Rocks of Milton-Freewater. While relatively close to & higher than The Rocks, Powerline DOES have similar large cobbles. So, perhaps my comparison isn't TOTALLY "off"? ;)
A deep dark blue purple with no signs of bricking. Aromas of blackberries and blue berries even a hint of bacon. Flavors of mushrooms, dried fruits interspersed with very fine tannins. Great mouthfeel with decent acid. A very long finish of 1 1/2 minutes. A very well balanced wine. Decanted it for an hour and it opened up nicely. Enjoyed it with a grilled skirt steak. Can easily age another 8 years.
Improving. Deep blue and blackberry fruit, well intertwined with smoky game meats and dark earth. Good concentration. Very brooding wine. Should keep improving with age.
Darker fruit profile, spice and earth took time but all there. This took a good 3 hour decant to really open up, but once there showed lots of potential. Glad to have a couple more to hold on to for awhile.
It took a while to open, but wow, what a mouthful! The meniscus is clear indicating that it could age for a long time more. Clear, deep reddish brown in color. Aromas of black current, dark chocolate and a hint of leather. After opening it had smooth tannins, tastes of berries and a bit of fresh vegetables, which was pleasant and not off putting. Superior wine.
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Outstanding. Quite tight when opened. We let it breath for about 90 minutes. Softened up nicely. Nose of leather and fresh grass. Taste of currents and black cherries and pears.
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Sweet floral and red cherry nose. Bright and exciting with some cherry cola, spice with some earthy herbal layers. Mid palate the oak emerges and holds although after an hour it seemed to fade. The smokiness noted by others is totally accurate. Finish lingers with a peppery tingle and a touch of fruit and tannins but still a breath of oakiness.
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Smooth, lush fruit bursting with blueberries, blackberries and smoke. Perfectly balanced with long finish. Brought this bottle to a restaurant and decanted 30 minutes. Delicious
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Absolutely delicious. Feel free to drink or hold on a few more years. I gave it a bit of time with just the bottle open and a small taste poured and then decanted and drank over a few hours. Rich but not heavy, lots of flavor with a wonderful balance of fruit and savory elements. Lovely smoky undertones. Enjoyed with ribeye and flank steak.
Delicious core of smooth creamy dark fruit, spice, and earth notes consistent with other tasters high scores...simply killer and will keep another 5+ with no problem.
Can’t believe the notes below are suggesting drink now/wine is on decline. Your bottles must be flawed. The wine I had tonight was powerful after 2.5hrs in the decanter and EPITOMIZED WA state Syrah. A mix of Cayuse funk on the nose with more ripe producers on the palate. No fox fur type notes, but very stemmy (100% whole cluster) crusted by black peppercorn and black olive tapenade. Blood/iron rich at the front and mid palate before it turns more blue and black fruit dominant with a touch of sweetness. More savory than fruity with smoked brisket and jerky but a nice balance of baked fruit. Drinking fantastic right now.
Big, powerful and refreshing Syrah in classic Charles Smith style. Blueberries, olives, dark fruit, black pepper, smoke and flesh in fragrance and taste. Long aftertaste in this full bodied wine. A perfect wine for the grilled steak. 94 points.
Stor, kraftfull och läskande Syrah i klassisk Charles Smith stil. Blåbär, oliver, mörk frukt, svartpeppar, rök och köttighet i doft/smak. Lång eftersmak i en fyllig kropp. Ett perfekt vin till den grillade biffen. 94 poäng.
C'est riche, dense et hyper poivré j'ai trouvé. La trame minéral vient couper dans toute cette matière et l'acidité présente me fait penser que ça sera surement mieux dans quelques années.
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Jag känner absolut att det finns en enorm potential i det här - inget fel på hypen! Den är troligtvis helt korrekt! Gott med krut och bitiga tanniner! Men att dricka den idag (ända fram till ca 28 timmar på luft) är ju som att dricka juicen från pressade druvstjälkar. Serverat på en ekplanka. Som du måste dra tungan mot för att få upp druvstjälksjuicen.
Doftar blått. Stjälkigt. Gräs. Lila plommon. Lite spritig.
Smaka gröngräsigt, strävt och stjälkigt. Och lite blåa sträva plommon.
85+++
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Outstanding Syrah. I drank all four bottles in the space of 15 months. Incredibly lush, rich with a long smooth finish. Complex and ready to drink now.
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This is a chameleon in the glass. First impression is strawberry jam, chalky mineral, and red currant. Then it’s briny green olive, fresh blackberry, and cigar ash. It all comes together in the mouth, where bright, red fruit flavors take over: strawberries in both fresh and dried form, plums too. I’m not getting the huge brooding meaty massive notes i anticipated based on reviews and CT notes. This bottle was light, lithe, elegant, and pretty. Still, the finish is long and persistent. Ready to drink now, and so pretty at this point I’d say drink ‘em.
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Popped and poured at Serratto. Big, rich, full bodied syrah, full of blackberry, pepper and licorice. Just a killer wine that paired surprisingly well with diver scallops and grilled black cod with lentils. Drink now - 2025+.
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Great wine; very odd, but I suppose a new world Syrah with an old world soul would taste like. Lots of meatiness, saline, and plum, with a really hard to pinpoint but distinctive nose. Drink or hold, maybe for 5 or so years.
Wine Spectator newbies; 10/18/2018-10/20/2018 (Marriott Marquis): Again it's hard to separate what Charles said from the wine in some ways. And his presentation was a real show stealer. He wasn't the only person tearing up in the room. This was interesting to me. A different style. Much more bloody and gamey. There's fruit there, but it's taking a backseat. Much less intense than I had expected it to be based on trying other wines from this producer. There was a hint of a chill to it that seemed to help with the wine being in balance.
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Otrolig doft! Tomatpuré, kapris, svarta oliver, hushållsmedwurst, blod, svarta vinbär och björnbär. Trots gott om tid i karaff kändes det som att där finns mer att hämta.
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Just as good as last bottle, and similar profile: unreal nose of underbrush, charcuterie, herbs, and violent, followed by a lush, expansive dose of dark fruit flavors melded with spice (especially after 3-4 hours decanting, which is crucial for these wines at this stage). It mellowed out considerably on day 2, so I'd guess medium-term aging potential, but it's hard to imagine how much better it'll get when it's this good now.
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Overwhelming green olives on the nose. An herbal, savory wine but with an odd combination of ripe berry fruit. We've found it a bit hard to swallow with that combination of aroma/flavor, hoping it will integrate and settle a bit with age. Try again in 1-2 years.
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Need time, open 2 hour before drinking and still little closed. Powerful wine at 15% alcohol. Very tasty wine and day 2 it was amazing. In another 2 to 5 years this it,s a killer.
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45 minute decant in the glass. Deep purple with a garnet rim. Interesting nose of clay, blackberry and Necco candy wafers. There is something else strong there too. Maybe what others call "Rocks funk"? It's good in any event. Taste is similar to nose. There is a good amount of initial black cherry sweetness but it is held in check by high acidity and integrated tannins that give the wine a silky texture. Medium plus body and long finish. Unique. Haven't tasted many wines like this. 92-93.
Decanted 1 hour in a massive measuring cup. Delicious Rocks Funk, blackberry, ash & smoke, cracked peppercorn, earth. I can see why this was #2 on the WS Top 100 this year. Great stuff! Drink now - 2025.
This is probably the best <$50 wine I’ve ever had. Typical Charles brashness but more earthy and funky than fruity. Super well put together. Double decanted but still needed an hour plus to open up. Had the last glass the next night...if anything, the funk became more predominant overtime.
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Burgundy color, almost the color of rust. This wine needed air. Right after popping the cork it was very tight, acidic, but after two hours it was much better. Wine was even better the second night. Very balanced. The aroma was strong, sweet berries. Very good Syrah. I recommend a long decant.
The bottle presented strong notes of black olives (others described as pickle juice) with recessed blackberry. Not sure if it’s just bottle variation or if the wine is fading fast.
Really nice bottle of Syrah. Not surprisingly it was very big, very New World, with lots of fresh dark berries, some smoke, and a floral nose. Decanted for 3 hours, which I think was helpful as this was singing right out of the gate.
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Large, woodsy syrah - that may not be in its best phase at the moment [I preferred the winery tasting]. Perhaps then... too-large a wine for our food pairings: salami, pate', and stinky cheeses on bread & crackers. It's the uniqueness that shines here, as many K offerings blend into the other when drunk side by side. Hold 2nd bottle few years, min.
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Wine Crush Tasting: ~ 2 oz tasting pour. This was opened late in the tasting as I noticed we didn't have any syrah in the tasting, but the quick double decant didn't do it justice.
This was well liked by the group, finishing as the #2 wine out of 10. However, my palate just couldn't quite wrap my head around it. I'll let my other bottles sleep or give a long decant next time. The other issue is that the wine may not have been allowed to warm enough, as it came from a 54F cellar. Me - 92, Wife - 90
Look: the wine is great, big, sulfurous, stinky, and meaty. There's an oil like quality on the palate, especially in terms of weight, that is more chardonnay/marssane-esque than Syrah. And just gobs of dileneation and length. But it's also overwhelming, and not in terms of tannin but rather in terms of flavor intensity.
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What a great bottle. Meat and violets on the nose. Rich dark fruit. Balanced and full without being heavy. A little young but so tasty. Great with lamb shanks.
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Initial pour at cellar temperature presented mostly black pepper, grilled meat, and charcoal, but dense dark blackberry jam, coffee, and baking spices were revealed as the wine warmed. The wine is full bodied and very ripe, but well balanced with fine tannins and acidity.
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The #2 is always really the #1, right? Outstanding wine and an outstanding value. Dark meaty tobacco start, little bit funk and a wonderful finish. This wine is drinking perfectly right now and and has been for the last 6 months.
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I was happy to grab a few bottles of this before it was #2 in the WS Top 100, which I suspect will make it difficult to find.
This is a very good Syrah with a complex nose of blackberry, pepper, licorice and cooking spice. The finish is super long and it's just a little bit hot in terms of perceiving alcohol, but well balanced.
The wine is drinking well now and could get more interesting with a bit of cellar time, maybe 3 - 5 years. Not for long-term aging.
Best American Syrah I’ve tried - truffles spice raspberry and game on the nose - berries and tobacco in the mouth then to a not so memorable oaky finish really good
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I agree with the other favorable reviews here. The Powerline is a real powerhouse. Young and primary, you can drink this now and be happy or sock it away for several years and enjoy it as it evolves.
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A huge wine. Big notes on the nose, big notes on the palate, fruit forward, long finish with the longest legs I have seen in a wine. On top of all that I paid less than $40 for it. At 3 times the price the wine would be a value. Just a wow wine.
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A great showing! Very similar to The Beautiful (also from the Powerline Estate), but different in that this was less gamey, and more in the floral and earthy profile. The nose immediately leaped from the glass, showcasing notes of blackberry, olive, and charred meats. It went into a shell for 1-2 hours while decanting only to re-emerge, revealing a more earthy nose of forest floor, eucalyptus, lavender, and balsam. It was fairly expressive in the mouth the entire evening, but was at its best after 3-4 hours decanting. In the mouth it is full but not heavy, lush, and smooth - a very elegant wine, but also forceful (but with no hard edges), featuring dark fruit flavors complicated by notes of charcuterie, herbs, and damp earth. The finish is long and suave, an utterly drinkable and fantastic tasting experience. It's great now (with at least a 2 hour decant), but I'm curious to see where it'll be at with a few years of bottle age. 94+
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27 months in 53% new French oak (the remainder presumably older). Spicy, confit fruit nose with warm cocoa notes too. Palate of red fruits and spices, lighter bodied that expected from the nose, with good intensity and crisp, cranberry acidity to close. For those who enjoy Pinot Noir and Nebbiolo!
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P: Med, poss MF, body; Rndish entry with almost swtish frt (VERY slightly hot?) met by some astringent pucker that pretty much resolves by the LONG, lip smacking finish with notes of bitterswt choc. NEEDS 12-30 mos, then drinking for 2-3 yrs more min, I'd guess. [As of late Jan '20, I saw no sources on wine-searcher (apart from the occasional auction) for this vintage].
Note: 1st tasted on 6/3/17
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Winebar [3 Whts, & 6 Reds] from 06/2/2017 (Vintage Wines Ltd., San Diego, CA): “100% Syrah (yield: 2.4 tons/acre) from a 30-acre estate vyd [Powerline] planted in 2012 to cobblestone river rocks with underlying layers of sand & gravel deposit soils in the foothills of the Blue Mtns @ over 1,200 ft elevation. [Supposedly 100% whole clusters] fermented using native yeasts; 41 days on skins; 53% new FR puncheons; 27 mos barrel-aged on lees; 14.5% ABV, 5.2 g/L T.A., & 3.98 pH;” 1,319 cases produced.
N: VERY attractive, PIERCINGLY jammy, ripe berries, yet with notes of grapefrt? Spice with flowers (geraniums?) as well;
P: Med, poss MF, body; ALMOST swtish frt met by almost puckerish acidity which slowly, fairly seamlessly, morphs into a LONG, VERY slightly bitterly tannic finish. Deserves/needs time to come together, as the PHENOMENAL aromas are currently SO far ahead of everything else. Down the line (2-3 yrs, guessing) I can see this either being a terrific boom or somewhat of a bust, but NOT likely in between. 95 pts WS (Fish, 8/31/17) & their #2/Top 100 for ’17 @ $45, 94-97 WA, & 94 WE (3/1/18) @ $45! [As of late Jan '20, I saw no sources on wine-searcher (apart from the occasional auction) for this vintage].
A friend and I tasted this at Charles Smiths’ Jet City on 4/14/17. It had a deep, rich and elegant bouquet of smoked meat, blueberry, plum and spice aromas. The palate was elegant and dry with flavors of blueberry, plum, pepper and spice. 91+
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4/25/2024 - Ridgerunner Likes this wine: 94 Points
Had this for some time... first bottle opened... worth the wait... good for another 5-10 years.
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3/9/2024 - GoBlue2002 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Did a coravin pour as my other syrah was disappointing. So juicy -- just draws you in and makes you smile if you love fruit.
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11/21/2023 - cblinstrub wrote: 95 Points
PnP’d. Paired with duck and fettuccine with truffles. Opened very olive and cigar box, but really transformed 90 minutes later into a very tasty spicy treat. Most of the primary fruit is gone, but it still needs a good decant at this point in time.
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9/1/2023 - RPerro Likes this wine: 95 Points
Popped & poured. Been a minute since I've had this one, and it did not disappoint! Lots of savory aromas and flavors, from seaweed to espresso coffee, roasted beef, black olive, charred earth, and hints of cedar. Sweet-yet-tart huckleberry fruit, some blueberry and vanilla. Nice acidity still, and a bit of dry tannin on the finish. Outstanding wine, unfortunately my last bottle. Sure wish I'd bought more! Still has lots of life ahead, so no rush to drink this one. Enjoy now - 2029+.
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7/25/2023 - Vasily Likes this wine: 91 Points
Excellent wine. We would score higher except that we prefer less alcohol. At 15%, it almost overpowered the intensity of the fruit.
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5/26/2023 - fitchbuck Likes this wine: 94 Points
Just as good, if not better than the couple times I've had this previously. Singing now, doubt this gets any better ... 94-95
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4/25/2023 - Gruffalius Likes this wine: 93 Points
In a great place. Mix of fruit, power and finesse.
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3/24/2023 - asteff Likes this wine: 94 Points
Great. Lentynofndark berries, smoked meat. Good balance and acidity Ready to go.
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3/19/2023 - Mountster27 Likes this wine: 96 Points
I said last time (2019) I was going to drink in a year but this got lost up high and in back of the cellar and I found it just now. Totally worth the wait. I didn’t take notes last night but I loved it.
I wish I had more
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2/28/2023 - Brolawa wrote:
D2. Classic WA Syrah nose but jammier on palate.
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2/19/2023 - caroleandjay wrote: 96 Points
My last 14 was just a bit past prime - but this felt like it was at peak.
Wonderful plum and black currant. Incredible nose with meats, hints of leather and the glorious fruit.
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11/28/2022 - caroleandjay wrote:
Love this wine still. No need to wait any longer, previous ones were a bit better.
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10/31/2022 - deetz Likes this wine: 94 Points
Drank over two days, with notes reflecting tasting on day two.
Inky core with purple color starting to fade toward garnet on the rim.
Powerful meaty aromas upon first opening developed into a complex nose of black olives, blackberry/black raspberry, slate rock minerality, licorice, cured meat, vanilla bean, and a touch of a green peppercorn/stemmy quality.
Palate has impeccable balance. Ripe and plush tannins give a rich and unctuous mouthfeel with a chocolatey plum-like flavor.
This wine delivers exactly what I love about Syrah (especially from WA)--explosive aromatics with a seductive combination of fruity and savory qualities supported by a backbone of minerality and a palate with density and focus that makes every sip just so darned satisfying.
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10/23/2022 - OldHick95 Likes this wine: 96 Points
Rich nose of dark fruit, cooked blackberries, bacon, graphite/leather. Fresh dark berry juice with a hint of tart cranberry balances the earthy notes and lifts the finish. Complex and balanced like a composed three course meal.
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10/3/2022 - caroleandjay Likes this wine: 95 Points
40 minute decant. I just love this wine.
V - Clear deep purple with med meniscus and high viscosity
N - Starts with both black and red fruit - like a fruit stand. Plum, black currant, blueberry, blackberry, cherry and raspberry. Bramble, green herbs and smoked meats.
P - The black fruit dominates early, as notes of braised pork, licorice and clove swirl around.
S - Full bodied, med+ acidity, fine med tannins with long finish. Med+ complexity.
I've been having one per year for a while now. Only a few left!
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5/16/2022 - Oldmanzin Likes this wine: 92 Points
Roasted plums, allspice and olive tapenade come together in this wonderful Washington Syrah. Silky texture along with a balanced profile is delightful. Aromatically pleasing. This has the structure to drink well over the next five to seven years. Good juice.
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4/30/2022 - stschutz Likes this wine: 92 Points
Delicious. Strong tannins, great fruit, many years of life ahead. These K Vintners, no matter the vintage or vineyard, seem to carry a quality of vanilla and spice of their own. Always good. 92+
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2/20/2022 - BVal wrote: 91 Points
Color/App: deep ruby core -> medium-deep ruby rim with a touch of bricking; medium+ viscosity. Bouquet of boysenberries and blueberries, olive brine and earth with a bit of funk (less than Cayuse). Big palate of black cherries and other black fruits, bramble, earth and anisette. Alcohol (15%) hidden well though the midpalate fruit comes through as fairly sweet. Good acidity and reasonably long finish. I'd say this will probably hold at this level for at least another 5 years but I don't see it changing (or improving) much from here.
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2/12/2022 - WinePT Likes this wine: 92 Points
This wine had many layers of flavors. Big dense black and blue fruit, black pepper, sweet tobacco, and earth. A hint of salinity and olives came through after a few hours. Moderate velvety tannins.
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1/30/2022 - thesternowl wrote: 90 Points
Popped and poured. Cork is perfect. The wine pours a deep ruby with a slightly browning rim and moderate staining of the tears; medium+ viscosity. On the nose, medium+ intensity with a mix of black and blue fruits; brambles and blueberries with some bacon fat and purple flowers. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannins and medium acid. Confirming the dark, mostly desiccated fruit with prunes, dates and figs and baking spice. Loads of secondary characteristics with olive brine, leather and some black pepper hanging about. Sort of an umami bomb. The wine is good and very alive but comes across fairly advanced for it age. If I had more, I would drink them this week.
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12/18/2021 - DB Lawton Likes this wine: 91 Points
Served at the Holiday dinner party and it was the #2 wine of the night. Big olive brine nose and taste after opening but that settled down after a bit. Fully ready to go, my last bottle.
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12/10/2021 - NavyVet6874 wrote:
Day 2 just as nice.
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12/9/2021 - NavyVet6874 wrote: 92 Points
Double decanted, very dark. Fruit and light funk on the nose. Soft and smooth mouth, lovely juice.
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12/3/2021 - Laz4wine Likes this wine: 97 Points
This is expressive and completely on point for what it is. SFWL's TN directionally accurate, feel there are few finer examples of WA syrah to compete with this. What it gives over the top is balanced by a complex bottom that makes it a lays potato chip, can't have just one pour. Hitting its stride and will continue to reward for ~3-5 more.
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12/3/2021 - sfwinelover1 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Just another evening of good wine and cheer (Chilly Noe Valley): Brought by Laz as a coravin pour to our tasting. On the nose and palate, plums, black cherries, mixed dark berries, earthiness, garrigue, smoked meats, olives, sweet spice and dark florals and a note of booziness. Purplish black, medium+ bodied, thick legs. Well-integrated but present tannins, light acidity, a touch of heat on the tail. Very complex, persistent and intense. Very interested to try this, as I’m going through a bit of a thing with WA wines, and although I’d not previously tasted this, have a bottle of the ‘16 myself. This has many classic N. Rhône’s notes, but at its young age, its vibrant fruit and high-ish abv (15%) signals it as a clear New World wine. Lighter on its feet than many of the Central Coast Rhône’s, this wine’s depth and expressiveness put it a cut above the ‘16 Betz Patriarch I’ve been drinking, at least at the moment, and it was great both on its own and with the charcuterie. A bit more freshness could have really elevated the profile, and made me think that, while this should have several years of good drinking left, the likelihood that it will improve is small, so consumption sooner than later is advised. Really enjoyable wine and killer qpr, but smoked on this night by the other reds, which is what you’d expect at 5x the tab. 93+
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10/30/2021 - stevemar Likes this wine: 93 Points
Black and Blue fruit extravaganza in my mouth. Medium body with soft to medium tannins. Loads of lush fruit, smooth and balanced.
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9/20/2021 - jmammons15 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Nose of Black plum, prune, sweet tobacco, black cherry, black cardamom and violet. Drinking well with notes of black plum and cardamom. Soft tannins and a well balance wine.
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9/15/2021 - cblinstrub Likes this wine: 95 Points
Powerful. Opened as a bright strawberry Grenache, then with a little air morphed in the big juicy dark brooding earthy and meaty Syrah we know. Really love this wine. Looking forward to the next bottle.
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9/5/2021 - caroleandjay Likes this wine: 93 Points
1 hr decant.
Clear, deep purple with medium garnet meniscus. High Viscosity.
N - Some funk but a bit less than I remembered. Plum, blackberry, olive, smoked meats and cocoa. Bit of bramble later on.
P - Same fruit, smoked meats with plenty of funk. Wonderful.
Full bodied. Tannins still there but med+ at this point, acid seems lower. Long finish with medium+ complexity.
Still going strong but I didn't feel it is getting better at this point.
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8/27/2021 - Margaux Bro wrote: 93 Points
My tastes have definitely changed dramatically over the years. I used to like this style, and while I can appreciate it for the quality - it just doesn't do it for me anymore. Still a well made, nuanced, and compelling wine. This wine is still very primary, and it will require a few more years to mellow out.
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8/12/2021 - gmbdds wrote: 93 Points
Decanted with berry notes filling the air. No sediment. Salty olive, stone and savory goodness throughout. Plenty of fruit to balance out and not overtly funky. Resembles Northern Rhone more than The Rocks.
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7/14/2021 - PhN Likes this wine: 93 Points
Unctuous, delicious, round, wonderful. Great right now!
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7/11/2021 - MikaK Likes this wine: 93 Points
Great balance. Still lot of fruit ahd berries. Blackberry, rasberry and dark fruits. smooth integrated tannins.
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6/8/2021 - GoBlue2002 Likes this wine: 92 Points
PnP -- meat!
Smoothed out over time.
Mineral, spice, dried red fruit. Balanced. Tannins are well integrated at this stage.
Paired well with lamb meatballs.
Me - 92, Wife - 92
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6/2/2021 - caroleandjay Likes this wine: 95 Points
40 min decant. Clear, deep garnet, with purple hues on barely medium meniscus. High viscosity. N of dark fruits with olive, smoky meets, leather and the funk. P confirms the core of dark fruits with raspberry as well, and smoked meats, more smoked meats and bacon, as well as sourdough. Dry, full-bodied, Medium acidity with fine high tannins. Long finish with layered complexity - alternating fruits and meats. Really enjoyed.
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5/8/2021 - MicklethePickle Likes this wine: 95 Points
Popped and poured. This is a powerful Syrah. Very dark and viscous, quite opaque, with aromas of bacon fat and smoked meat. Smells for all the world like a top-flight Cote-Rotie. Big presence in the mouth, with tons of ripe berry fruit and lavender. Creamy-smooth, almost chocolatey finish. If you want to know what great Northern Rhones taste (and even more, smell) like, but don't have the coin to find out, this is not a bad facsimile. 5-14-17-9: 95/100.
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2/26/2021 - srh Likes this wine:
Cf. the CellarTracker Article link [lower lft] to get specific info for this vintage, including acclaim.
≈30 min decant into a plastic, cylindrical pitcher which was then capped; NO sediment; Private Preserve after Day 1
N: Somewhat tough to parse; Grn beans init, RIPE blkberries which gained intensity over time; Grn olives, then blk olives
P: Med body; Nice, almost swtish frt met by an astringent pucker which SLOWLY, fairly seamlessly morphs into a LONG, ult pleasantly balanced finish with an interesting bitter/swtness to the basically negligible tannins. Went QUITE well with the Smkd BBQ Pk Ribs & Smkd BBQ Pulled Pk Butt, including the vinegar-based BBQ sauce, the TJ's Whl Kernel Swt Corn being > challenging, & the Baked Potato even > so. In the case of the meats, the wine's multifaceted flavors seemed to complement those of the smoked pk.
// Day 2: Still fragrant, even tougher to parse, though with added notes of blk pepper that I didn't sense on Day 1. P has held VERY well, working nicely with tonight's Coq Au Vin (HmMd).
// Day 4: Still impressively fragrant -- & no easier to parse; P has held acceptably, the bitterness up, though that wasn't particularly problematic with the Grilled Grnd BEEF/Blue Cheese & Grilled Steaks.
// ∑: Our best (cellared) bottle of this, possibly abetted by the decreased decanting time I gave it? A *solid* EXC, & should drink through '24, poss longer.
Note: Also tasted on 6/3 & 6/17/17, 8/23/20, + 1/22/21.
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2/13/2021 - DB Lawton Likes this wine: 91 Points
Opened with big aromas and a lot of olive brine notes. Settled down and smoothed out nicely over a big charcuterie board. Really memorable long long finish.
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1/27/2021 - bugdoced Likes this wine: 90 Points
solid lovely wine
went well with burgers on the grill and on it's own
great qpr
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1/22/2021 - srh Likes this wine:
Cf. the CellarTracker Article link [lower lft] to get specific info for this vintage, including acclaim.
≈1:25 hr decant into a plastic, cylindrical pitcher which was then capped; NO sediment; Private Preserve after Day 1
N: Tough to parse, but seems a melding of earth, probably pyrazines, with a spiciness & hints of ripe plums; Coffee coming on with addt'l swirling?
P: Med body; RNDISH entry with NICE, almost swtish frt met by an astringent pucker which slowly, seamlessly evolves into a LONG finish with an intriguing bitter/swtness to the minimal, fairly innocuous tannins. Did very well with our Smkd BBQ Chx, Smkd BBQ Pk Ribs, & TJ's Whl Kernel Swt Corn, but NOT with the Bush's Baked Beans. [The swtness of the BBQ/Corn brought out a MILD, counterbalancing bitterness in the wine, whereas the Beans brought out a far > potent version.]
// Day 2: Aromas ≈, but considerably < intense; P ≈ Day 1's, with poss a bit > bitterness, at least init. The wine didn't work with Beef Chili & Beans [HmMd], but as that's a difficult pairing...
∑: 14.5% ABV; My EXC-/EXC, the extra 25 mins in the decanter (cf'd the bottle of 8/23/20) possibly keeping it from the higher? Also, I'll keep the drink through '25 time range I said then, though I'm not at all certain addt'l cellaring will improve this.
Note: Also tasted on 6/3 & 6/17/17 + 8/23/20.
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1/22/2021 - Decanting Queen wrote: 91 Points
I had this wine a few years ago and although I normally prefer lots of age on my Syrah, this one was better back then. Or has my palate changed? Improved with a few hours of air. Dominated by savory flavors of olives and herbs with some black fruit in the background. What made it less enjoyable for me was a salinity on the finish that took away from the overall experience. It made me want to drink water instead of another sip of wine.
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1/9/2021 - Nbkat8 wrote: 94 Points
This is a powerhouse Syrah. Deep and complex I just find this overall a very interesting wine.
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12/5/2020 - Stephen Rash wrote: 90 Points
I opened this for my birthday, and it was great, but I was definitely disappointed and thought it was overrated. What was all the hype behind this Syrah?
Aromas of prunes, fig, olive, blood, and leather on the nose. Tastes of plum, blood, and pepper on the palate. Medium(+) bodied with medium, silky tannins. Long finish
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12/3/2020 - Jamesgold Likes this wine: 94 Points
This is still drinking well but I’m not sure this is has a long life ahead. Beautiful texture and weight. Charcuterie, green olive and dark fruits of plum and blackberries. A little lacking in acidity to give it that needed zip to send it to another level. Overall good wine.
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11/18/2020 - Justinneal654 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Nose is expressive with red fruit, tobacco leaf and touch of bay leaf. Wine is unstructured but loaded with flavors. Seems red fruit early, and a pinch of pepper in the middle. Smoked meat dominates late with some nice acidity that keeps the wine alive.
Clearly not built to age and feels at its peak. Enjoyable and will need to try pairing with some food.
Next day I got a distinctive and odd nose of pickles but mostly pickled okra. Fruit still there and deeper, richer. The finish has hints of the pickles and some cured meat but more like salami or spiced meat.
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11/1/2020 - PhN Likes this wine: 92 Points
Delicious deep red aromatic and tasty wine right out of cork pull. Delicious. I think this can handle a few more years' aging, but it great now.
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10/28/2020 - enjoyvino wrote: 91 Points
Based on how this wine drank with a one hour decant it was a bit disappointing. Nose was a bit on the soy sauce side and did not show a lot of fruit. Palate was nice and had some black fruit and earthiness to it. Just did not meet my expectation give some of the scores it had received.
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9/22/2020 - ashikoh Likes this wine: 93 Points
medium ruby violet fading to garnet rim; dark berries, black olives, black peppercorns, charcoal, beef jerky, prominent stem character; more savory than fruity on the palate with peppery finish; full bodied, medium+ acidity, medium+ tannin, 15% ABV; winemaker Charles Smith, 100% Syrah with 100% stem inclusion, aged 27 months in 53% new French puncheons; Powerline vineyard was planted in 2012 at foothills of Blue Mountains at 1200 feet elevation, in cobblestone river rocks with underlying sand and gravel; $46
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9/18/2020 - RPerro Likes this wine: 95 Points
Consistent with prior notes. Always a favorite!
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8/23/2020 - srh Likes this wine:
Cf. the CellarTracker Article link [lower lft] to get specific info for this vintage, including acclaim.
≈1 hr decant into a plastic, cylindrical pitcher which was then closed; NO sediment; Private Preserve after Day 1
N: Olive brine atop soy, poss umami, with notes of ripe berries underneath & hints of pyrazines; Somewhat difficult to parse; Intensity lurking?
P: Med body; Nice, almost swtish frt met by an astringent pucker which seamlessly transitions into a LONG, balanced finish with an intriguing bitter/swt/tangy trialectic to the ult quite pleasant finish. Went VERY well with both Smkd BBQ Brisket & Smkd Pk BBQ Ribs, *slightly* better with the former cf'd to the latter. Moreover, it sang even louder with addt'l air time. My EXC (92,93 /100 using that metric), & based upon Day 1, should sail through '25. However, needs flavorful entrées in order to put its best foot forward.
// Day 2: A tad overchilled, the aromas seemed similar, though I can't say for sure 'cuz of the temp. Though it was passable with the night's Spinach Stuffed Ravioli, Marinara, & IT Sausages, it's not a match I'd strive to repeat as the wine showed better by itself. Nonetheless, I'm sticking with Day 1's "score" as long as it's paired judiciously, very likely including flavorful cuts of meat (beef?). [As of early Sep '20, wine-searcher still shows 1 source @ $90].
Note: 1st tasted on 6/3 & 6/17/17.
Also, definitely *not* N. Rhone in style, nor did it strike me as being much like any CA or Aussie Syrahs/Shirazes I can recall tasting. Rather, this struck me as having more in common with the precious few Syrahs I've tasted from The Rocks of Milton-Freewater. While relatively close to & higher than The Rocks, Powerline DOES have similar large cobbles. So, perhaps my comparison isn't TOTALLY "off"? ;)
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8/12/2020 - Jobu wrote: 95 Points
So good still with life left to it. Dark and powerful, yet smooth and elegant. Love K Syrahs.
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5/15/2020 - Ufer73 Likes this wine: 95 Points
I'm normally not a big syrah fan but this was wonderful, especially the soft mouthfeel and powerful finish.
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4/18/2020 - PeterFromThePan Likes this wine: 92 Points
Pretty good. Had some odd aromas when first opened. Not sure it deserves to be rated at #1
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4/5/2020 - agbanker Likes this wine: 94 Points
A deep dark blue purple with no signs of bricking. Aromas of blackberries and blue berries even a hint of bacon. Flavors of mushrooms, dried fruits interspersed with very fine tannins. Great mouthfeel with decent acid. A very long finish of 1 1/2 minutes. A very well balanced wine. Decanted it for an hour and it opened up nicely. Enjoyed it with a grilled skirt steak. Can easily age another 8 years.
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4/1/2020 - cblinstrub Likes this wine: 93 Points
Improving. Deep blue and blackberry fruit, well intertwined with smoky game meats and dark earth. Good concentration. Very brooding wine. Should keep improving with age.
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3/31/2020 - bularry Likes this wine: 93 Points
thought this was outstanding. long life still ahead. elegant yet powerful.
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1/10/2020 - shorty01 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Lamenting that I did not purchase multiple bottles of this a few years ago at the tasting room.
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12/31/2019 - akpace wrote: 92 Points
Tobacco, earth, great
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12/30/2019 - MMiazga Likes this wine: 94 Points
Darker fruit profile, spice and earth took time but all there. This took a good 3 hour decant to really open up, but once there showed lots of potential. Glad to have a couple more to hold on to for awhile.
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11/15/2019 - tjross Likes this wine: 95 Points
Decanted and poured. Similar notes to previous tasting seven moths ago except it is much more approachable now.
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11/4/2019 - athurst Likes this wine: 94 Points
It took a while to open, but wow, what a mouthful! The meniscus is clear indicating that it could age for a long time more. Clear, deep reddish brown in color. Aromas of black current, dark chocolate and a hint of leather. After opening it had smooth tannins, tastes of berries and a bit of fresh vegetables, which was pleasant and not off putting. Superior wine.
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11/2/2019 - Vincenzos Wines Likes this wine: 95 Points
Outstanding. Quite tight when opened. We let it breath for about 90 minutes. Softened up nicely. Nose of leather and fresh grass. Taste of currents and black cherries and pears.
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10/4/2019 - Justinneal654 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Sweet floral and red cherry nose. Bright and exciting with some cherry cola, spice with some earthy herbal layers.
Mid palate the oak emerges and holds although after an hour it seemed to fade. The smokiness noted by others is totally accurate.
Finish lingers with a peppery tingle and a touch of fruit and tannins but still a breath of oakiness.
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10/1/2019 - stevemar Likes this wine: 93 Points
Smooth, lush fruit bursting with blueberries, blackberries and smoke. Perfectly balanced with long finish. Brought this bottle to a restaurant and decanted 30 minutes. Delicious
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9/9/2019 - Philasinger Likes this wine:
Absolutely delicious. Feel free to drink or hold on a few more years. I gave it a bit of time with just the bottle open and a small taste poured and then decanted and drank over a few hours. Rich but not heavy, lots of flavor with a wonderful balance of fruit and savory elements. Lovely smoky undertones. Enjoyed with ribeye and flank steak.
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9/7/2019 - Lockareff Likes this wine: 94 Points
Fantastic - smooth, long finish. 15% ABV not at all noticeable. Would buy more.
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8/12/2019 - Mountster27 Likes this wine: 96 Points
Amazing.
Depth of fruit. Complex smoke and tea and meat notes.
Everything I want from Syrah.
Will drink my other within a year or so.
Held up well with chicken satay and sesame veggies and garlic noodles.
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8/10/2019 - Laz4wine Likes this wine: 96 Points
Delicious core of smooth creamy dark fruit, spice, and earth notes consistent with other tasters high scores...simply killer and will keep another 5+ with no problem.
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6/11/2019 - Shay.Aldriedge Likes this wine: 94 Points
Can’t believe the notes below are suggesting drink now/wine is on decline. Your bottles must be flawed. The wine I had tonight was powerful after 2.5hrs in the decanter and EPITOMIZED WA state Syrah. A mix of Cayuse funk on the nose with more ripe producers on the palate. No fox fur type notes, but very stemmy (100% whole cluster) crusted by black peppercorn and black olive tapenade. Blood/iron rich at the front and mid palate before it turns more blue and black fruit dominant with a touch of sweetness. More savory than fruity with smoked brisket and jerky but a nice balance of baked fruit. Drinking fantastic right now.
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6/8/2019 - J&A's wrote:
So well balanced! Stands up to any WA Syrah!
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5/24/2019 - Anders T Likes this wine: 94 Points
Big, powerful and refreshing Syrah in classic Charles Smith style. Blueberries, olives, dark fruit, black pepper, smoke and flesh in fragrance and taste. Long aftertaste in this full bodied wine. A perfect wine for the grilled steak.
94 points.
Stor, kraftfull och läskande Syrah i klassisk Charles Smith stil. Blåbär, oliver, mörk frukt, svartpeppar, rök och köttighet i doft/smak. Lång eftersmak i en fyllig kropp. Ett perfekt vin till den grillade biffen.
94 poäng.
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3/31/2019 - densonbs wrote: 93 Points
Delicious. Drinking well. Still has some fruit but some secondary flavors showing through.
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3/1/2019 - maxima wrote: 89 Points
C'est riche, dense et hyper poivré j'ai trouvé.
La trame minéral vient couper dans toute
cette matière et l'acidité présente me fait penser que ça
sera surement mieux dans quelques années.
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1/12/2019 - Trydebull Likes this wine: 85 Points
Jag känner absolut att det finns en enorm potential i det här - inget fel på hypen! Den är troligtvis helt korrekt! Gott med krut och bitiga tanniner! Men att dricka den idag (ända fram till ca 28 timmar på luft) är ju som att dricka juicen från pressade druvstjälkar. Serverat på en ekplanka. Som du måste dra tungan mot för att få upp druvstjälksjuicen.
Doftar blått. Stjälkigt. Gräs. Lila plommon.
Lite spritig.
Smaka gröngräsigt, strävt och stjälkigt. Och lite blåa sträva plommon.
85+++
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1/5/2019 - Red Devils Likes this wine: 94 Points
Outstanding Syrah. I drank all four bottles in the space of 15 months. Incredibly lush, rich with a long smooth finish. Complex and ready to drink now.
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1/1/2019 - pgm Likes this wine: 95 Points
This is a chameleon in the glass. First impression is strawberry jam, chalky mineral, and red currant. Then it’s briny green olive, fresh blackberry, and cigar ash. It all comes together in the mouth, where bright, red fruit flavors take over: strawberries in both fresh and dried form, plums too. I’m not getting the huge brooding meaty massive notes i anticipated based on reviews and CT notes. This bottle was light, lithe, elegant, and pretty. Still, the finish is long and persistent. Ready to drink now, and so pretty at this point I’d say drink ‘em.
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12/15/2018 - RPerro Likes this wine: 95 Points
Popped and poured at Serratto. Big, rich, full bodied syrah, full of blackberry, pepper and licorice. Just a killer wine that paired surprisingly well with diver scallops and grilled black cod with lentils. Drink now - 2025+.
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11/4/2018 - smphelps wrote: 94 Points
Great wine; very odd, but I suppose a new world Syrah with an old world soul would taste like. Lots of meatiness, saline, and plum, with a really hard to pinpoint but distinctive nose. Drink or hold, maybe for 5 or so years.
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10/19/2018 - MC2 Wines Likes this wine:
Wine Spectator newbies; 10/18/2018-10/20/2018 (Marriott Marquis): Again it's hard to separate what Charles said from the wine in some ways. And his presentation was a real show stealer. He wasn't the only person tearing up in the room. This was interesting to me. A different style. Much more bloody and gamey. There's fruit there, but it's taking a backseat. Much less intense than I had expected it to be based on trying other wines from this producer. There was a hint of a chill to it that seemed to help with the wine being in balance.
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10/7/2018 - Jamesgold Likes this wine: 97 Points
Amazing. Bright blue fruit. Green olive. Charcuterie. Beautiful texture. Fantastic wine.
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9/30/2018 - Skaggs.1980 wrote: 91 Points
Otrolig doft! Tomatpuré, kapris, svarta oliver, hushållsmedwurst, blod, svarta vinbär och björnbär. Trots gott om tid i karaff kändes det som att där finns mer att hämta.
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9/8/2018 - Apollo5710 wrote: 94 Points
Just as good as last bottle, and similar profile: unreal nose of underbrush, charcuterie, herbs, and violent, followed by a lush, expansive dose of dark fruit flavors melded with spice (especially after 3-4 hours decanting, which is crucial for these wines at this stage). It mellowed out considerably on day 2, so I'd guess medium-term aging potential, but it's hard to imagine how much better it'll get when it's this good now.
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8/21/2018 - ChristyLeighNY wrote:
Overwhelming green olives on the nose. An herbal, savory wine but with an odd combination of ripe berry fruit. We've found it a bit hard to swallow with that combination of aroma/flavor, hoping it will integrate and settle a bit with age. Try again in 1-2 years.
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8/7/2018 - RPerro Likes this wine: 95 Points
Killer Syrah. Just full of vibrancy. Nice fruit, nice acid, nice body, supple tannin. Blackberries, espresso, oak and chocolate. Drink now - 2028.
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6/17/2018 - janka Likes this wine: 92 Points
Need time, open 2 hour before drinking and still little closed. Powerful wine at 15% alcohol. Very tasty wine and day 2 it was amazing. In another 2 to 5 years this it,s a killer.
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6/7/2018 - RockyII Likes this wine: 93 Points
45 minute decant in the glass. Deep purple with a garnet rim. Interesting nose of clay, blackberry and Necco candy wafers. There is something else strong there too. Maybe what others call "Rocks funk"? It's good in any event. Taste is similar to nose. There is a good amount of initial black cherry sweetness but it is held in check by high acidity and integrated tannins that give the wine a silky texture. Medium plus body and long finish. Unique. Haven't tasted many wines like this. 92-93.
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5/18/2018 - RPerro Likes this wine: 94 Points
Decanted 1 hour in a massive measuring cup. Delicious Rocks Funk, blackberry, ash & smoke, cracked peppercorn, earth. I can see why this was #2 on the WS Top 100 this year. Great stuff! Drink now - 2025.
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5/6/2018 - LEEJV123 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Medium full, fruity, earthy
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4/14/2018 - poppacork Likes this wine: 92 Points
This bottle presents an aromatic profile of blackberry jam, iodine, charred meat, and briny black olives. Full bodied with moderate tannins.
Enjoyed with grilled NY strips and baked potatoes with all the fixin’s.
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4/8/2018 - tjross Likes this wine: 95 Points
This is probably the best <$50 wine I’ve ever had. Typical Charles brashness but more earthy and funky than fruity. Super well put together. Double decanted but still needed an hour plus to open up. Had the last glass the next night...if anything, the funk became more predominant overtime.
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3/30/2018 - wdcwineguys wrote: 92 Points
Burgundy color, almost the color of rust. This wine needed air. Right after popping the cork it was very tight, acidic, but after two hours it was much better. Wine was even better the second night. Very balanced. The aroma was strong, sweet berries. Very good Syrah. I recommend a long decant.
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3/25/2018 - poppacork wrote: 87 Points
The bottle presented strong notes of black olives (others described as pickle juice) with recessed blackberry. Not sure if it’s just bottle variation or if the wine is fading fast.
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3/4/2018 - D'Yquembe Mutumbo wrote: 93 Points
Really nice bottle of Syrah. Not surprisingly it was very big, very New World, with lots of fresh dark berries, some smoke, and a floral nose. Decanted for 3 hours, which I think was helpful as this was singing right out of the gate.
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2/17/2018 - fitchbuck Likes this wine: 93 Points
Large, woodsy syrah - that may not be in its best phase at the moment [I preferred the winery tasting]. Perhaps then... too-large a wine for our food pairings: salami, pate', and stinky cheeses on bread & crackers. It's the uniqueness that shines here, as many K offerings blend into the other when drunk side by side. Hold 2nd bottle few years, min.
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2/17/2018 - GoBlue2002 wrote: 91 Points
Wine Crush Tasting: ~ 2 oz tasting pour.
This was opened late in the tasting as I noticed we didn't have any syrah in the tasting, but the quick double decant didn't do it justice.
This was well liked by the group, finishing as the #2 wine out of 10. However, my palate just couldn't quite wrap my head around it. I'll let my other bottles sleep or give a long decant next time. The other issue is that the wine may not have been allowed to warm enough, as it came from a 54F cellar.
Me - 92, Wife - 90
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2/11/2018 - smphelps wrote: 93 Points
Look: the wine is great, big, sulfurous, stinky, and meaty. There's an oil like quality on the palate, especially in terms of weight, that is more chardonnay/marssane-esque than Syrah. And just gobs of dileneation and length. But it's also overwhelming, and not in terms of tannin but rather in terms of flavor intensity.
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1/31/2018 - Teknsteel Likes this wine: 93 Points
Great juice. Best K vintners 2014 release I’ve tasted.
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12/29/2017 - Bandreas wrote:
Color dark and black as Egypt's Night..
big in every aspect. this is not a wine for the faint-hearted.
It was almost too much for me...
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12/6/2017 - pdxpinotlover Likes this wine: 95 Points
What a great bottle. Meat and violets on the nose. Rich dark fruit. Balanced and full without being heavy. A little young but so tasty. Great with lamb shanks.
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12/3/2017 - poppacork Likes this wine: 94 Points
Initial pour at cellar temperature presented mostly black pepper, grilled meat, and charcoal, but dense dark blackberry jam, coffee, and baking spices were revealed as the wine warmed. The wine is full bodied and very ripe, but well balanced with fine tannins and acidity.
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11/26/2017 - Tyler C Likes this wine: 93 Points
The #2 is always really the #1, right? Outstanding wine and an outstanding value. Dark meaty tobacco start, little bit funk and a wonderful finish. This wine is drinking perfectly right now and and has been for the last 6 months.
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11/25/2017 - Otaku Oenophile Likes this wine: 93 Points
Same as my prior notes
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11/17/2017 - MVO Wine Likes this wine: 93 Points
I was happy to grab a few bottles of this before it was #2 in the WS Top 100, which I suspect will make it difficult to find.
This is a very good Syrah with a complex nose of blackberry, pepper, licorice and cooking spice. The finish is super long and it's just a little bit hot in terms of perceiving alcohol, but well balanced.
The wine is drinking well now and could get more interesting with a bit of cellar time, maybe 3 - 5 years. Not for long-term aging.
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10/28/2017 - Otaku Oenophile Likes this wine: 94 Points
Smell of game, blackberries, thyme, truffles and baking spices.
The palate mirrors the nose with added blue berries and is much more inviting than K Syrah The Beautiful 2013.
It is not cloying or heavy as it is lace with a refreshing acidity.
Great attack and decent mid palate but really short on the finish. In my estimation the perfect thanksgiving wine.
The tannin hits you later and is quite astringent. Maybe with time they will gain some texture and sweetness.
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10/26/2017 - Breaktheory Likes this wine: 95 Points
Best American Syrah I’ve tried - truffles spice raspberry and game on the nose - berries and tobacco in the mouth then to a not so memorable oaky finish really good
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9/26/2017 - brown57 Likes this wine: 93 Points
I agree with the other favorable reviews here. The Powerline is a real powerhouse. Young and primary, you can drink this now and be happy or sock it away for several years and enjoy it as it evolves.
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9/10/2017 - bzell Likes this wine: 96 Points
A huge wine. Big notes on the nose, big notes on the palate, fruit forward, long finish with the longest legs I have seen in a wine. On top of all that I paid less than $40 for it. At 3 times the price the wine would be a value. Just a wow wine.
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9/3/2017 - cincybt wrote: 93 Points
Imminently enjoyable and just keeps getting better as it unpacks. So glad I bought a case.
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9/2/2017 - Jobu wrote: 94 Points
Smoked meat, blackberry, plum, pepper. The flavors are so harmonious and smooth and just stay with you forever. Absolutely beautiful.
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8/11/2017 - Apollo5710 wrote: 94 Points
A great showing! Very similar to The Beautiful (also from the Powerline Estate), but different in that this was less gamey, and more in the floral and earthy profile. The nose immediately leaped from the glass, showcasing notes of blackberry, olive, and charred meats. It went into a shell for 1-2 hours while decanting only to re-emerge, revealing a more earthy nose of forest floor, eucalyptus, lavender, and balsam. It was fairly expressive in the mouth the entire evening, but was at its best after 3-4 hours decanting. In the mouth it is full but not heavy, lush, and smooth - a very elegant wine, but also forceful (but with no hard edges), featuring dark fruit flavors complicated by notes of charcuterie, herbs, and damp earth. The finish is long and suave, an utterly drinkable and fantastic tasting experience. It's great now (with at least a 2 hour decant), but I'm curious to see where it'll be at with a few years of bottle age. 94+
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7/5/2017 - RieslingFanatic Likes this wine:
27 months in 53% new French oak (the remainder presumably older). Spicy, confit fruit nose with warm cocoa notes too. Palate of red fruits and spices, lighter bodied that expected from the nose, with good intensity and crisp, cranberry acidity to close. For those who enjoy Pinot Noir and Nebbiolo!
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6/29/2017 - GoBlue2002 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Washington Wine Tasting; 6/29/2017-7/1/2017 (Woodinville, Seattle, Jet City): Sampled at the K tasting room in Jet City.
Dark purple in color. Nose of smoke & meat. Taste - meat, earth, smooth. Long finish. Such a great wine at this young age, but give it some time if you can.
Me - 93, Wife - 92
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6/17/2017 - srh Likes this wine:
Syrahs/Shirazes (2 ea-AU & CA, + 1 ea FR & WA) (Vintage Wines Ltd., San Diego, CA): Cf. the CellarTracker Article link [lower lft] to get specific info for this vintage, including acclaim.
N: ATTRACTIVELY jammy with floral/spicy notes?
P: Med, poss MF, body; Rndish entry with almost swtish frt (VERY slightly hot?) met by some astringent pucker that pretty much resolves by the LONG, lip smacking finish with notes of bitterswt choc. NEEDS 12-30 mos, then drinking for 2-3 yrs more min, I'd guess. [As of late Jan '20, I saw no sources on wine-searcher (apart from the occasional auction) for this vintage].
Note: 1st tasted on 6/3/17
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6/16/2017 - wineandtennisguy Likes this wine: 93 Points
Delicious Syrah. Blackberries, smoky, long finish––all combine in a bold, impressive Syrah. Wonderful now but should age well for another 10 years.
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6/3/2017 - srh Likes this wine:
Winebar [3 Whts, & 6 Reds] from 06/2/2017 (Vintage Wines Ltd., San Diego, CA): “100% Syrah (yield: 2.4 tons/acre) from a 30-acre estate vyd [Powerline] planted in 2012 to cobblestone river rocks with underlying layers of sand & gravel deposit soils in the foothills of the Blue Mtns @ over 1,200 ft elevation. [Supposedly 100% whole clusters] fermented using native yeasts; 41 days on skins; 53% new FR puncheons; 27 mos barrel-aged on lees; 14.5% ABV, 5.2 g/L T.A., & 3.98 pH;” 1,319 cases produced.
N: VERY attractive, PIERCINGLY jammy, ripe berries, yet with notes of grapefrt? Spice with flowers (geraniums?) as well;
P: Med, poss MF, body; ALMOST swtish frt met by almost puckerish acidity which slowly, fairly seamlessly, morphs into a LONG, VERY slightly bitterly tannic finish. Deserves/needs time to come together, as the PHENOMENAL aromas are currently SO far ahead of everything else. Down the line (2-3 yrs, guessing) I can see this either being a terrific boom or somewhat of a bust, but NOT likely in between. 95 pts WS (Fish, 8/31/17) & their #2/Top 100 for ’17 @ $45, 94-97 WA, & 94 WE (3/1/18) @ $45! [As of late Jan '20, I saw no sources on wine-searcher (apart from the occasional auction) for this vintage].
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4/14/2017 - garambler Likes this wine: 92 Points
A friend and I tasted this at Charles Smiths’ Jet City on 4/14/17. It had a deep, rich and elegant bouquet of smoked meat, blueberry, plum and spice aromas. The palate was elegant and dry with flavors of blueberry, plum, pepper and spice. 91+
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