Amazingly enjoyable 14-year-old Syrah with an expressive aroma of ripe dark fruit, earth, dried meat, floral notes, sweet spices, a whiff of vanilla and just a hint of oak. There is concentration and richness but also balance. Silky texture, ripe tannins and right amount of acidity and freshness. Flavours of ripe plum, black cherry, smoke, well-integrated oak, peppery spice and herbal hints.
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Semi Transparent/Opaque dark red and lightens up towards the edges. No signs of browning on the edges. Blackberry and black cherry on the nose and palate. Also a hint of black pepper on the palate. At this stage this is a medium body wine with medium + tannins and medium acidity - Very balanced. 10+ years has been no problem for this wine. Impressive
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Lovely fruit forward CA syrah - not as extracted and intense as the syrahs from Tensly, well balanced with nice acidity to hold it together and balanced fruit. Drink NOW
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Drank nicely over 2 nights. Black in the glass- looked young. Lavender, saline, figs and blackberry on nose with similar flavor profile on palate. Medium body, high acidity and integrated tannins. Very long finish. 93+/-
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This bottle was more consistent with my note from 1/2012 vs. my most recent tasting.
Paired with pork spare ribs (smoked). On nose, meat, blackberry, saline, blueberry. Dark red fruits, blackberry & saline flavor profile on palate - full body, medium+ acidity, medium tannins and very long finish. Really enjoyed. Fell apart overnight so will drink remaining bottle in next 1-3 years. 93 tonight.
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Always amazed at how beautiful this wine becomes when you give it time in the bottle. This was the classic boxer's fist in a velvet glove - so much power, equaled only by its grace. I'm bummed I had it with appetizers and tapas and not a big fat steak.
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Drank over two days. The liveliness and juiciness of the fruit upon first pour was incredible. Still so fresh, with a ton of energy. It moved more into secondary earthy flavors after that, but the tannic grip was always present. I held this for six and a half years, and it could easily have gone longer. Impressive.
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Has matured and drinking very well. Dark fruit and slightly earthy on the palate. The longer it sat the more it developed and the finish has really integrated as the tannins have mellowed.
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Nice maturing Cali syrah. Dark fruited, plush, smooth but with good stuffing. Easy to drink right out of the bottle and improves by day #2. Nice secondary notes and minerality. Great QPR
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It has been a year since I tried a bottle, we pnp'd while baking, dark fruit on the nose, the palate is dominated by ripe plums, dark berries and spice. a nice finish. Decanting is definitely in order for this wine as time brings out the flavors.
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Same as previous bottle. WTF?!? I choked the last one down, but I had to dump this one down the drain after two sips. The 2008 bottling was great. Not sure what happened to these 2009s.
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Needs time to open up. Definitely not the first wine to drink. It's going thru a concentration phase and becoming very rich, deep color and strong tannins. Don't make a conclusion on the first taste. This is a big wine and it needs air time.
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Chapulin mentioned a balance between California and Rhone - I can certainly see that. It's an apt comparison though I might say it leans a little more toward the Rhone. Dark opaque red in the glass. Some green / stem undertones. Alcohol heat on the finish with some tannins to wrap it all up. Certainly needs time to open up. If you're looking for a big Cali Syrah with lots of fruit and "new world" personality, this one will disappoint. However, if you're looking for something different - kind of an old-meets-new, this will be of interest.
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PnP on first day - typical big Stolpman fruit attach - rich and dark on the nose and palate. Well integrated - hint of acidity and tanniins - but smooth. Full body and long finish. Flavor profile is plum, blueberry, blackberry - rish and full throttle.
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PNP'd through an aerator to use for the cheese course, dark fruit on the nose, blueberry and licorice on the palate with a hint of spice, a nice finish. Held up well to some of the more pungent cheeses that we served.
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Pipe smoke and briar patch aromas. Fleshy, grilled game, very Cote-Rotie like. Black raspberry & blueberry liquor with black licorice on long finish. Drank first bottle 6 months ago and second one last week. Suggest holding, since second bottle was drinking much better. The fourth vintage I've purchased of this bottling, and it's always consistently good!
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Very Fruity in the glass. Decanted 4 hrs and it really opened up. Good depth to the grape through out the mouth. Blackberry forward with some earthy hints. Long mellow finish. It was a pleasant surprise for a young wine. I'm becoming a big fan of their Syrahs, they should age well.
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Started in big fruit nose, but bouquet belied body. Complexity less than some of the other Stolpman offerings this vintage. Still a very solid rendition and miles ahead of most other Cali-syrah. Optimal QPR for this wine would occur at $25 or under. 87 overall for me. Wife had higher praise for this one 89.
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Great wine for its price range. Paired with grilled lamb tips and asparagus, it stood up to both nicely. Big and curranty with some smoke, even a bit of cinnamon in the aftertaste.
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Beebe notes spot on in my opinion with black fruit was more a bit roasted. My add-on would be the volume was significantly down. As one reviewer mentioned, this is a bit hyped, but solid. 86
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Decanted for an hour. A crimson rim and a gorgeous core of violet and black. An eclectic nose of root beer, earth, black cherry, stone, plum sauce and a little ginger bread. So crisp and fresh, with the utmost complexity and concentration at the same time; the finish is bright and the tannins are a touch angular and strewn - which I rather enjoy. Drink now - 2015.
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Decanted for 2.5 hours before dinner - meat / iron / blackberry on nose. Similar palate with full body (but acids keep it from being flabby), good mouthfeel and long finish with a nice tannic grip. Very enjoyable. 91-93 range. Probably needs some time but drinking well now with a decant - went great with smoked ribs.
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Blackberry, smoked meat and peppercorn, crushed rock and pastrami spices due to sites's limestone soil. Pure blach raspberry and blackberry fruit. For a Northern Rhone style Syrab. Dusty tannis structured for long term aging.
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Very well-balanced, with nice body in the mid-palate. Deep purple colour. Dusty tannins with quite a long finish. Well worth the price. A unique style that tastes like a cross between a Californian big-boned Syrah and a more subdued Rhone wine.
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Best California syrah I've had in a long time. Cuts the perfect balance between overly ripe California syrahs and more austere Rhones (but definitely leans more towards the riper style). Good balance of savory, meaty aromas with more floral elements. Bought several bottles of this, and it has consistently wowed me.
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Palate: blackcurrant, very sweet, candied tannins, wild berries, chocolaty herbaceousness, high glycerine, very velvety.
Looong finish, filled with fruit and mouth watering acid.
Would love a little more complexity and acid to make this vintage sing. I understand they included some stems this year, and I think they could go even heavier on that without hurting the wine.
I'm a big Stolpman fan, and this juice is so good it could handle some more of that.
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4/12/2023 - R1c4rd0 wrote: 92 Points
Amazingly enjoyable 14-year-old Syrah with an expressive aroma of ripe dark fruit, earth, dried meat, floral notes, sweet spices, a whiff of vanilla and just a hint of oak. There is concentration and richness but also balance. Silky texture, ripe tannins and right amount of acidity and freshness. Flavours of ripe plum, black cherry, smoke, well-integrated oak, peppery spice and herbal hints.
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2/3/2023 - Sour Grapes Likes this wine: 92 Points
Semi Transparent/Opaque dark red and lightens up towards the edges. No signs of browning on the edges. Blackberry and black cherry on the nose and palate. Also a hint of black pepper on the palate. At this stage this is a medium body wine with medium + tannins and medium acidity - Very balanced. 10+ years has been no problem for this wine. Impressive
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4/29/2020 - pmk wrote: 90 Points
Lovely fruit forward CA syrah - not as extracted and intense as the syrahs from Tensly, well balanced with nice acidity to hold it together and balanced fruit. Drink NOW
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4/7/2020 - pmk wrote: 90 Points
ready to drink. excellent, but not as concentrated and intense as Tensley Syrahs.
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9/2/2019 - CWilliam wrote:
Drank nicely over 2 nights. Black in the glass- looked young. Lavender, saline, figs and blackberry on nose with similar flavor profile on palate. Medium body, high acidity and integrated tannins. Very long finish. 93+/-
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7/30/2018 - CWilliam wrote: 93 Points
This bottle was more consistent with my note from 1/2012 vs. my most recent tasting.
Paired with pork spare ribs (smoked). On nose, meat, blackberry, saline, blueberry. Dark red fruits, blackberry & saline flavor profile on palate - full body, medium+ acidity, medium tannins and very long finish. Really enjoyed. Fell apart overnight so will drink remaining bottle in next 1-3 years. 93 tonight.
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1/5/2018 - brasstab Likes this wine: 92 Points
Always amazed at how beautiful this wine becomes when you give it time in the bottle. This was the classic boxer's fist in a velvet glove - so much power, equaled only by its grace. I'm bummed I had it with appetizers and tapas and not a big fat steak.
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12/25/2017 - valecnik Likes this wine: 92 Points
Drank over two days. The liveliness and juiciness of the fruit upon first pour was incredible. Still so fresh, with a ton of energy. It moved more into secondary earthy flavors after that, but the tannic grip was always present. I held this for six and a half years, and it could easily have gone longer. Impressive.
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3/3/2017 - ddmhunter Likes this wine: 91 Points
Has matured and drinking very well. Dark fruit and slightly earthy on the palate. The longer it sat the more it developed and the finish has really integrated as the tannins have mellowed.
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7/8/2016 - EvanJB wrote:
Meaty, mature
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5/27/2016 - Bowmanifesto wrote: 90 Points
Superb Syrah, as I've come to expect from Stolpman.
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5/10/2016 - CWilliam wrote:
Paired with ribs. Didn't take notes - great nose (violets / lavender / saline / black cherry). Not as good as last time but a nice bottle of wine.
91+/-
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2/26/2016 - iamandyc Likes this wine: 90 Points
Nice maturing Cali syrah. Dark fruited, plush, smooth but with good stuffing. Easy to drink right out of the bottle and improves by day #2. Nice secondary notes and minerality. Great QPR
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1/20/2015 - patsox wrote: 92 Points
The ideal CA Syrah.
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11/7/2014 - markcic wrote: 89 Points
It has been a year since I tried a bottle, we pnp'd while baking, dark fruit on the nose, the palate is dominated by ripe plums, dark berries and spice. a nice finish. Decanting is definitely in order for this wine as time brings out the flavors.
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11/2/2014 - jwalker1140 wrote: flawed
Same as previous bottle. WTF?!? I choked the last one down, but I had to dump this one down the drain after two sips. The 2008 bottling was great. Not sure what happened to these 2009s.
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10/4/2014 - jwalker1140 wrote: flawed
Something went wrong. Very hazy, almost milky. Nose was OK-ish, but the taste was tart and totally bottomed out after ~1 second. No bueno.
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8/10/2014 - ddsolomon2000 wrote: flawed
Corked
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5/18/2014 - whudock Likes this wine: 91 Points
drinking very well right now, but it will get better with time. Deep and aggressive with very nuanced elements
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4/5/2014 - ddsolomon2000 wrote: 90 Points
Needs time to open up. Definitely not the first wine to drink. It's going thru a concentration phase and becoming very rich, deep color and strong tannins. Don't make a conclusion on the first taste. This is a big wine and it needs air time.
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2/20/2014 - cliffo41 wrote: 89 Points
Chapulin mentioned a balance between California and Rhone - I can certainly see that. It's an apt comparison though I might say it leans a little more toward the Rhone. Dark opaque red in the glass. Some green / stem undertones. Alcohol heat on the finish with some tannins to wrap it all up. Certainly needs time to open up. If you're looking for a big Cali Syrah with lots of fruit and "new world" personality, this one will disappoint. However, if you're looking for something different - kind of an old-meets-new, this will be of interest.
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1/10/2014 - Ecoenophile wrote: 91 Points
PnP on first day - typical big Stolpman fruit attach - rich and dark on the nose and palate. Well integrated - hint of acidity and tanniins - but smooth. Full body and long finish. Flavor profile is plum, blueberry, blackberry - rish and full throttle.
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10/26/2013 - markcic wrote: 90 Points
PNP'd through an aerator to use for the cheese course, dark fruit on the nose, blueberry and licorice on the palate with a hint of spice, a nice finish. Held up well to some of the more pungent cheeses that we served.
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4/14/2013 - jupiter33 wrote: 91 Points
Another great Stolpman wine.
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1/1/2013 - raydawgone Likes this wine: 94 Points
Pipe smoke and briar patch aromas. Fleshy, grilled game, very Cote-Rotie like. Black raspberry & blueberry liquor with black licorice on long finish. Drank first bottle 6 months ago and second one last week. Suggest holding, since second bottle was drinking much better. The fourth vintage I've purchased of this bottling, and it's always consistently good!
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8/30/2012 - ddsolomon2000 wrote: 91 Points
Very well balanced, full flavor without overpowering fruit!
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4/7/2012 - Xfactor wrote: 85 Points
Tannins dominated the fruit in this bottle. By end of bottle, felt as if had bit into a plum-stained white oak 2x4.
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4/5/2012 - ddmhunter wrote: 91 Points
Very Fruity in the glass. Decanted 4 hrs and it really opened up. Good depth to the grape through out the mouth. Blackberry forward
with some earthy hints. Long mellow finish. It was
a pleasant surprise for a young wine. I'm becoming a big fan of their Syrahs, they should age well.
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3/30/2012 - Xfactor wrote: 88 Points
Started in big fruit nose, but bouquet belied body. Complexity less than some of the other Stolpman offerings this vintage. Still a very solid rendition and miles ahead of most other Cali-syrah. Optimal QPR for this wine would occur at $25 or under. 87 overall for me. Wife had higher praise for this one 89.
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3/28/2012 - EvanJB wrote: 91 Points
My bottle is one of the "organic", without added sulfites. This is a wonderful wine.
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3/10/2012 - Shouzen wrote: 91 Points
Great wine for its price range. Paired with grilled lamb tips and asparagus, it stood up to both nicely. Big and curranty with some smoke, even a bit of cinnamon in the aftertaste.
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2/11/2012 - Xfactor wrote: 86 Points
Beebe notes spot on in my opinion with black fruit was more a bit roasted. My add-on would be the volume was significantly down. As one reviewer mentioned, this is a bit hyped, but solid. 86
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2/2/2012 - ddsolomon2000 wrote: 91 Points
Outstanding!
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1/27/2012 - Matt Scott wrote: 93 Points
Decanted for an hour. A crimson rim and a gorgeous core of violet and black. An eclectic nose of root beer, earth, black cherry, stone, plum sauce and a little ginger bread. So crisp and fresh, with the utmost complexity and concentration at the same time; the finish is bright and the tannins are a touch angular and strewn - which I rather enjoy. Drink now - 2015.
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1/21/2012 - Hamilton1 wrote: 88 Points
Did not live up to the high ratings. Decent California Syrah, but there are plenty of Syrahs better that cost less, in the $15-$30 range.
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1/15/2012 - fdizzy wrote: 81 Points
very weak body - nearly flavorless except for brine on finish that lingers as aftertaste
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1/15/2012 - CWilliam wrote: 91 Points
Decanted for 2.5 hours before dinner - meat / iron / blackberry on nose. Similar palate with full body (but acids keep it from being flabby), good mouthfeel and long finish with a nice tannic grip. Very enjoyable. 91-93 range. Probably needs some time but drinking well now with a decant - went great with smoked ribs.
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12/30/2011 - Kurt and Ruthann wrote:
Blackberry, smoked meat and peppercorn, crushed rock and pastrami spices due to sites's limestone soil. Pure blach raspberry and blackberry fruit. For a Northern Rhone style Syrab. Dusty tannis structured for long term aging.
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12/13/2011 - ddsolomon2000 wrote: 93 Points
Big, bad and bold. Very nice wine. I wish I had more!
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12/9/2011 - fdizzy Does not like this wine: 67 Points
flavorless except for brine finish.
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11/13/2011 - Shouzen wrote: 91 Points
Very well-balanced, with nice body in the mid-palate. Deep purple colour. Dusty tannins with quite a long finish. Well worth the price. A unique style that tastes like a cross between a Californian big-boned Syrah and a more subdued Rhone wine.
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11/3/2011 - Sour Grapes wrote: 92 Points
Well balanced with a very long finish. Nice Juice!
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9/10/2011 - chapulin wrote: 94 Points
Best California syrah I've had in a long time. Cuts the perfect balance between overly ripe California syrahs and more austere Rhones (but definitely leans more towards the riper style). Good balance of savory, meaty aromas with more floral elements. Bought several bottles of this, and it has consistently wowed me.
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8/20/2011 - Ecoenophile wrote: 90 Points
Rich, full fruit-forward nose. Black fruit flavors, long finish, tiny touch of tannins.
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8/12/2011 - Wamrod wrote: 91 Points
Dense deep dark purple
Nose: Blackberry, blackcurrant, sweet resin, pepper, slight vegetal hint.
Palate: blackcurrant, very sweet, candied tannins, wild berries, chocolaty herbaceousness, high glycerine, very velvety.
Looong finish, filled with fruit and mouth watering acid.
Would love a little more complexity and acid to make this vintage sing. I understand they included some stems this year, and I think they could go even heavier on that without hurting the wine.
I'm a big Stolpman fan, and this juice is so good it could handle some more of that.
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