strong sour cherry and a little acidic..I have had at least 2 bottles over 2 years and both the same - decanting helps a little bring out more desirable and fuller flavours…not a rich syrah for such a warm climate
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Back to back tasting with 2016 Le Vieux Pin Cuvee Violet. The 2017 vintage Black Hills is an improvement over the 2016 so we are giving it a bit of leg up there. Still, the LVP shows greater depth and complexity and for $10 less. I hope I just saved some people $10.
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Dover Drunk nailed it. This needed two hours to reveal its full potential. A bit harsh and angular at opening. It became almost seamless 2 hours on. Savoury dk red and black fruits. Pepper and cured meat. Alcohol, acid and tannin all stitched together. Went well with Tandoori Lamb Kebab. Thanks DD for the decant guidance.
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we decanted this for 2 hrs before our drinking we compared the black hills to a poplar grove syrah not a real earthy nose on either but a lovely fruity nose the black hills was like an explosion of flavor big and bright while the poplar grove was more subtle the finish on the poplar grove lingered a little longer and was more desireable than the black hills. They did not dry out my mouth but had me desiring more great wines
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Medium bodied. Pepper notes. The wine tasted soft with lower residual alcohol than the other Syrah's. It has mellowed significantly and is far more approachable - the "easy drinker" of the bunch.
An excellent BC Syrah. At first, baking spices were dominant, which reminded me more of a blend like Tinhorn's The Creek than a typical BC Syrah. However, flavours like black pepper, black cherry, and smoke were there, too. For me this surpasses most BC Syrahs like Mission Hill's Border Vista and Painted Rock's offering, and is up there on the heels of Le Vieux Pin's Classique.
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Quite a shy nose with aromas of blackcurrant, blackberry, olive tapenade, cracked black pepper, and a little spice. The palate is full-bodied with finely integrated tannins, there is great freshness and this is anything but a heavy Syrah, the fruit is dark and quite ripe, however, the underlining of savory notes, eucalyptus and sweet spices ensures nothing is out of place. There is good density and structure on the mid-palate and the finish is on the medium side. I would recommend drinking this now over the next 5 years. This certainly is one of the best Canadian wines I have tasted.
This is certainly a New World Syrah, and you could not compare this to Northern Rhone. I can compare this to Ramey, Rust en Vrede, Montes, and Lapostolle in terms of quality. I don't drink enough Paso Robles Syrah to compare, however, I imagine that would be ahead of this group(Saxum and Melville is on my list!). Out of the 5 mentioned I would probably give the nod to either the Rust en Vrede or the Black Hills, just due to that extra personality and character. Australian Shiraz is another beast and I won't go there today. Either way this a great representation of Syrah and even better that it is Canadian. I will buy again, thanks to Francois for the recommendation.
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Still nice pepper. Feels juicy and peppery. Still not robust or full bodied tho. More between Ned and full. Maybe due to juiciness. Anyways still nice tho weigh ceackers n cheese!
Big, bold Syrah - with berries and black pepper on the nose and the palate. Some warmth on the mid-palate and the finish. Goes well with tasty home made pizza. Decant for 1-2 hours if you open one now or cellar for up to 10 years.
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11/13/2023 - JAP55 Likes this wine: 88 Points
Not particularly reflective of classic Syrah character but adequate for the purpose.
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3/23/2023 - alwayshopeful wrote: 84 Points
strong sour cherry and a little acidic..I have had at least 2 bottles over 2 years and both the same - decanting helps a little bring out more desirable and fuller flavours…not a rich syrah for such a warm climate
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3/13/2022 - WineProf Likes this wine: 91 Points
Great with a meal of grilled striploin steaks.
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2/13/2022 - JAP55 Likes this wine: 89 Points
Back to back tasting with 2016 Le Vieux Pin Cuvee Violet.
The 2017 vintage Black Hills is an improvement over the 2016 so we are giving it a bit of leg up there. Still, the LVP shows greater depth and complexity and for $10 less. I hope I just saved some people $10.
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2/5/2022 - Canoehead Likes this wine: 91 Points
Dover Drunk nailed it. This needed two hours to reveal its full potential. A bit harsh and angular at opening. It became almost seamless 2 hours on. Savoury dk red and black fruits. Pepper and cured meat. Alcohol, acid and tannin all stitched together. Went well with Tandoori Lamb Kebab. Thanks DD for the decant guidance.
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2/3/2022 - Dover drunk wrote: 92 Points
we decanted this for 2 hrs before our drinking
we compared the black hills to a poplar grove syrah
not a real earthy nose on either but a lovely fruity nose
the black hills was like an explosion of flavor big and bright while the poplar grove was more subtle
the finish on the poplar grove lingered a little longer and was more desireable than the black hills. They did not dry out my mouth but had me desiring more
great wines
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12/29/2021 - Vino Loco wrote: 86 Points
Black Hills Syrah Vertical - 2014 to 2019: Had blind as part of a 2014 to 2019 BH Syrah vertical.
Medium bodied. Pepper notes. The wine tasted soft with lower residual alcohol than the other Syrah's. It has mellowed significantly and is far more approachable - the "easy drinker" of the bunch.
Ranked 4 of 6.
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11/16/2021 - Dover drunk wrote: 91 Points
A good nose but not super earthy
Lovely body deep red to purple color with a meaty full body
I really enjoy this one
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9/19/2021 - Dover drunk wrote: 92 Points
This is great wine
Love the nose ,Kinda earthy, deep red big and bold taste and the finish is delicate
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3/6/2021 - geoffjb Likes this wine: 92 Points
An excellent BC Syrah. At first, baking spices were dominant, which reminded me more of a blend like Tinhorn's The Creek than a typical BC Syrah. However, flavours like black pepper, black cherry, and smoke were there, too. For me this surpasses most BC Syrahs like Mission Hill's Border Vista and Painted Rock's offering, and is up there on the heels of Le Vieux Pin's Classique.
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2/14/2021 - Rawhide Likes this wine:
Loved it _ had it with beef tenderloin - perfect pair
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10/23/2020 - Vino Loco Does not like this wine: 86 Points
I'm a big fan of Black Hills reds, but think the 2017 Syrah missed the mark. Flabby and sour finish.
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9/4/2020 - Alexander Smith Likes this wine: 91 Points
Similar to previous tasting note, lush dark fruit very new world yet well balanced, rich mid-palate and tannins well integrated. 91+ Drink now
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3/28/2020 - Alexander Smith Likes this wine: 92 Points
Quite a shy nose with aromas of blackcurrant, blackberry, olive tapenade, cracked black pepper, and a little spice. The palate is full-bodied with finely integrated tannins, there is great freshness and this is anything but a heavy Syrah, the fruit is dark and quite ripe, however, the underlining of savory notes, eucalyptus and sweet spices ensures nothing is out of place. There is good density and structure on the mid-palate and the finish is on the medium side. I would recommend drinking this now over the next 5 years. This certainly is one of the best Canadian wines I have tasted.
This is certainly a New World Syrah, and you could not compare this to Northern Rhone. I can compare this to Ramey, Rust en Vrede, Montes, and Lapostolle in terms of quality. I don't drink enough Paso Robles Syrah to compare, however, I imagine that would be ahead of this group(Saxum and Melville is on my list!). Out of the 5 mentioned I would probably give the nod to either the Rust en Vrede or the Black Hills, just due to that extra personality and character. Australian Shiraz is another beast and I won't go there today. Either way this a great representation of Syrah and even better that it is Canadian. I will buy again, thanks to Francois for the recommendation.
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3/21/2020 - uzzi Likes this wine: 90 Points
Still nice pepper. Feels juicy and peppery. Still not robust or full bodied tho. More between Ned and full. Maybe due to juiciness. Anyways still nice tho weigh ceackers n cheese!
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11/14/2019 - uzzi Likes this wine: 90 Points
Still nice. Think it’ll still improve. With wine n cheese. Yummy
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9/21/2019 - Francois Le Mouel Likes this wine: 92 Points
Big, bold Syrah - with berries and black pepper on the nose and the palate. Some warmth on the mid-palate and the finish. Goes well with tasty home made pizza. Decant for 1-2 hours if you open one now or cellar for up to 10 years.
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9/19/2019 - uzzi Likes this wine: 88 Points
Nice. Pepper on the nose. Can tell it’s young but gonna be good. With aged cheeses and crackers
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