Our group was split over the quality of this bottling. I thought it was a nicely rich example of Sonoma Syrah, but other thought it overripe. The nose was smokey and meaty. Palate was medium+ with more meat and spice, but also creamy raspberry jelly. The smoky fruit persisted through a longish finish.
www.austinbeeman.com
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Drank in honor of Saralee's recent passing. Held up very well for 12+ year old Syrah. Stored perfectly since release from the winery. Not built to age this long but made it to the finish line with balance and grace. Another example of why Richard Arrowood is one of the finest winemakers in the history of California wine. Sweet violets on the nose with complex integrated smooth black fruits on the palate. Delicious with food.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This is a nice mature California Syrah. Spicy nose with ripe raspberries and a bit of pepper. Decent balance and a mature medium length finish with soft tannins. Purchased at Arrowood at release.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
ense deep purple with some ruby on the edge. Nose was slightly aged mass of organic earthiness at first then the fruit emerged after an hour. Nice blackberries and raspberry.. lots of vanillla oak ...This turned into a rather pleasant fruit forward wine with plenty of structure and balance. Medium acid and appealing finish
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Nice bouquet but a little heavy on the oak. I would like to give this another year or two and see if the fruit and oak can integrate a little better. Disappointing at this price point.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Too creamy-oaky for me, but mostly redeemed by a strong flavor profile that includes a definite note of menthol and slightly syrupy blackberry fruit. Has a nice peppery note on the long finish that is also spicy and sweet and somehow more energetic than the nose or entry on the palate. Somehow achieves reasonable balance.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This is an excellent syrah. The nose had some slight funk which quickly blew off. Very fleshy core of dark cherry, meat, and spice, about 20 second finish. I wish I had bought more.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Syrah Tasting (My place): Clear, garnet, with a predominate gamey aroma and flavor, typical syrah, a bit flabby, very soothing tannin, and the aroma also had a overripe floral quality. possibly even tobacco.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Brilliant California Syrah, high toned nose of violets, meat and blackberry followed by waves of intense black fruit, anise, espresso and flowers on the long structured palate. New world muscle in a decidedly old world style. Delicious and provocative, drinking very well right now. Wish I had more than 1 bottle left . .
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Delicious perfectly aged syrah. Little of the early syrah intensity left but a beautifully balanced mild flavored mild tannins drinking wine. 85 points very very good
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Old world aromas of blackberry, dark chocolate, white pepper, licorice root and a touch of tart cherry. Dense, richly textured in the mouth with roasted coffee and meat flavors. Lots of cracked black pepper on the muscular finish. Drinking very nicely now.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Great nose of dark cherries and plum opened up after an hour of decanting. Bold dark fruit and anise on the palate, overall a very good wine that I would give a higher score to if not for some heat on the finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Well matured very smoothwine, hint of pepper not of the young big Syrah taste left. Medium dark fruit and tannins. Pleasant aged wine to drink but nothing stood out
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Will contine to improve with cellar time. Had with lunch of Ault Farms pork shoulder steaks, salad of Goochland market grape tomatos with sunflower shoots with homemade citrus vinegrette, and local argula and radish salad.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
super ripe, super extracted, super american oak. sound like a zin? drank like one, too, only zins do a better job at disguising the EtOH. vanilla notes from the oak which i enjoyed along with the lush body but the heat really stole the show. obvious potential with saralee fruit, and so i was a little disappointed with this one. if you drink it, shoot for cellar temp (or cooler if you can stand it) to keep the heat in check.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Big fat blueberry pie nose with funky coffee, green olive notes adding to the complexity. Dense and smooth in the mouth with a pleasing sweetness mid-palate. Long fruity finish with nice grip. Will improve with another couple of years. Very impressed.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Beautiful syrah, with strawberries, vanilla, coffee, and an herbal taste at the end. It finished long, had smooth silky tannins, and was very pleasing and fruity, also showcasing some legs and longevity, it should only get better over the next 5 years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Nice deep purple. Slightly overripe nose and palate with the attendant lack of structure. More prunes than plums, more raisins than grapes. I did very much like the mouthfeel, which was round and lush.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
9/10/2022 - RumRunner Likes this wine: 91 Points
Tannins are still there. Still has lots of dark fruit. Really nicely aged.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/30/2014 - austinbeeman- austinbeeman.com Likes this wine: 90 Points
Our group was split over the quality of this bottling. I thought it was a nicely rich example of Sonoma Syrah, but other thought it overripe.
The nose was smokey and meaty. Palate was medium+ with more meat and spice, but also creamy raspberry jelly. The smoky fruit persisted through a longish finish.
www.austinbeeman.com
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
2/15/2014 - Birorganic Likes this wine: 91 Points
Drank in honor of Saralee's recent passing. Held up very well for 12+ year old Syrah. Stored perfectly since release from the winery. Not built to age this long but made it to the finish line with balance and grace. Another example of why Richard Arrowood is one of the finest winemakers in the history of California wine. Sweet violets on the nose with complex integrated smooth black fruits on the palate. Delicious with food.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/26/2013 - rwgray wrote: 89 Points
Oak has faded leaving blackberry and pepper. Still a fair amount of tannin. Nicely fragrant nose of dark fruit. Couple of years of life.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/5/2012 - RR47 wrote: 90 Points
This is a nice mature California Syrah. Spicy nose with ripe raspberries and a bit of pepper. Decent balance and a mature medium length finish with soft tannins. Purchased at Arrowood at release.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/30/2011 - profiler54 wrote: 89 Points
ense deep purple with some ruby on the edge. Nose was slightly aged mass of organic earthiness at first then the fruit emerged after an hour. Nice blackberries and raspberry.. lots of vanillla oak ...This turned into a rather pleasant fruit forward wine with plenty of structure and balance. Medium acid and appealing finish
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/19/2011 - rwgray wrote: 89 Points
Nice bouquet but a little heavy on the oak. I would like to give this another year or two and see if the fruit and oak can integrate a little better. Disappointing at this price point.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/11/2011 - vendange wrote: 89 Points
Too creamy-oaky for me, but mostly redeemed by a strong flavor profile that includes a definite note of menthol and slightly syrupy blackberry fruit. Has a nice peppery note on the long finish that is also spicy and sweet and somehow more energetic than the nose or entry on the palate. Somehow achieves reasonable balance.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/1/2011 - curtiy wrote: 92 Points
This is an excellent syrah. The nose had some slight funk which quickly blew off. Very fleshy core of dark cherry, meat, and spice, about 20 second finish. I wish I had bought more.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/3/2010 - thescrod wrote: 85 Points
Unimpressed, way past its prime in my opinion
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/29/2010 - DHJ1968 wrote:
Consistent with prior note, this is drinking very well at the moment and I'm not sure it will develop any further with additional cellar time.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/29/2010 - patrickt wrote: 89 Points
Syrah Tasting (My place): Clear, garnet, with a predominate gamey aroma and flavor, typical syrah, a bit flabby, very soothing tannin, and the aroma also had a overripe floral quality. possibly even tobacco.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/26/2010 - Loren Sonkin wrote: 86 Points
A Bunch of Wines on a Saturday Afternoon (Ken's): Nice. Simple. One dimensional. showing some age but not much complexity. Drink up.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/8/2010 - Gravity wrote: 93 Points
Drinking at its peak...
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/28/2010 - syrahz wrote: 92 Points
Initially seemed ordinary. After about 90 minutes in the decanter it opened up and was smooth and delicious.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/29/2010 - brianst wrote: 91 Points
Drank at dinner with Larry and Shuey. Very enjoyable all around.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/1/2009 - davergny wrote: 93 Points
Lovely syrah. Elegant, silky, good fruit & intensity, nice long finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/20/2008 - DHJ1968 wrote:
Brilliant California Syrah, high toned nose of violets, meat and blackberry followed by waves of intense black fruit, anise, espresso and flowers on the long structured palate. New world muscle in a decidedly old world style. Delicious and provocative, drinking very well right now. Wish I had more than 1 bottle left . .
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/6/2008 - chris_3 wrote: 85 Points
Delicious perfectly aged syrah. Little of the early syrah intensity left but a beautifully balanced mild flavored mild tannins drinking wine. 85 points very very good
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/24/2008 - pgordon62 wrote: 90 Points
Old world aromas of blackberry, dark chocolate, white pepper, licorice root and a touch of tart cherry. Dense, richly textured in the mouth with roasted coffee and meat flavors. Lots of cracked black pepper on the muscular finish. Drinking very nicely now.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/17/2008 - D.Callahan wrote: 90 Points
Great nose of dark cherries and plum opened up after an hour of decanting. Bold dark fruit and anise on the palate, overall a very good wine that I would give a higher score to if not for some heat on the finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/29/2008 - ELH wrote: 89 Points
Reliable syrah; deep fruity flavor; decant or open in advance.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/17/2008 - WineBulldog wrote: 89 Points
smooth, aged well. similar nose, big taste like a cab. berry and floral.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/3/2008 - chris_3 wrote: 85 Points
Well matured very smoothwine, hint of pepper not of the young big Syrah taste left. Medium dark fruit and tannins. Pleasant aged wine to drink but nothing stood out
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/5/2008 - J2K wrote: 88 Points
Very good Syrah from Cali.Had with some strong cheese.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/31/2007 - NuTricks wrote: 88 Points
Less than the Three Rings I served before it.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/30/2007 - Fructis Garner wrote:
Will contine to improve with cellar time. Had with lunch of Ault Farms pork shoulder steaks, salad of Goochland market grape tomatos with sunflower shoots with homemade citrus vinegrette, and local argula and radish salad.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/19/2007 - DrGonzo wrote: 93 Points
What syrah should be.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/18/2007 - ELH wrote: 92 Points
Much better when opened an hour or so beforehand.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/17/2007 - ELH wrote: 91 Points
Opened one hour in advance; quite good.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/14/2007 - dlow wrote:
Decanted ~1 hour before drinking. Smoky, low tannins, very nice. Worked well with the roasted cornish game hens w/ a light citrus flavoring.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/9/2007 - ELH wrote: 89 Points
Good solid Syrah.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/7/2007 - Tom_B wrote: 83 Points
This ruby colored wine had a floral nose with black cherry aromas. Mild acidity, no tannins, a bit simple and out of balance.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/30/2006 - ELH wrote: 89 Points
Good dependable, but unremarkable, Syrah.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/25/2006 - cookie7 wrote: 88 Points
Loads of white pepper
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/3/2006 - pgordon62 wrote: 90 Points
Lots of white pepper, blackberry fruit, floral scents and a herbal, coffee edge. Full bodied with excellent length. Drinking well now.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/25/2006 - jwjon1 wrote: 85 Points
super ripe, super extracted, super american oak. sound like a zin? drank like one, too, only zins do a better job at disguising the EtOH. vanilla notes from the oak which i enjoyed along with the lush body but the heat really stole the show. obvious potential with saralee fruit, and so i was a little disappointed with this one. if you drink it, shoot for cellar temp (or cooler if you can stand it) to keep the heat in check.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/4/2006 - PercyN wrote: 92 Points
The perfect example of what a Syrah should be...peppery, bold, yet not over-powering.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/31/2005 - pwarms wrote: 87 Points
Excellent Syrah. Peppery noise with unidentifiable fruit flavor with little to no earthyness and a smooth finish. Drink now
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/29/2005 - shapster wrote: 90 Points
Drank with dinner. Exceptional with red meat.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/25/2005 - shapster wrote: 90 Points
Rich and peppery, blackberry notes, strong lingering finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/14/2005 - rayphillips wrote:
With the Penn's
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/13/2005 - pgordon62 wrote: 92 Points
Big fat blueberry pie nose with funky coffee, green olive notes adding to the complexity. Dense and smooth in the mouth with a pleasing sweetness mid-palate. Long fruity finish with nice grip. Will improve with another couple of years. Very impressed.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/5/2005 - mmyette wrote: 90 Points
Beautiful syrah, with strawberries, vanilla, coffee, and an herbal taste at the end. It finished long, had smooth silky tannins, and was very pleasing and fruity, also showcasing some legs and longevity, it should only get better over the next 5 years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/5/2005 - johnnywebs wrote: 88 Points
Nice deep purple. Slightly overripe nose and palate with the attendant lack of structure. More prunes than plums, more raisins than grapes. I did very much like the mouthfeel, which was round and lush.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment