Wine Article
2002 Wellington Syrah Reserve
Last edited on 3/3/2008 by Loweeel
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Wellington Vineyards has been making Syrah since 1993, and this is our second Reserve bottling. We think this is one of the finest Syrahs we have ever made. Some very hot weather during the final ripening phase resulted in higher sugar and lower acid levels than usual. Both our “regular” Syrah and this Reserve have great color, a big, fleshy mid-palate and fantastic intensity of flavor. We arrived at the final blend for this special wine through a series of meticulous tastings and trial blends. Inclusion of a bit of Cabernet sauvignon was the final touch, firming up the structure, adding focus, and actually intensifying the Syrah character.
Gold medal Sonoma County Harvest Fair 10/06
90 Points Wine Enthusiast
2002 Reserve Syrah Winemaker’s tasting notes, Feb. 28, 2008
Color: Very deep, saturated ruby – no purple tints remain, but no signs of brick or brown tones yet. Aroma: This wine has reached a stage of development where the elements are well married and no longer stand out as individual components. The aroma has good intensity but is hard to define. There is some ripe, jammy blackberry with leather and molasses notes. With time and air hints of black pepper, cedar, fresh earth, black currant, truffle, mint, bacon and cocoa reveal themselves. Palate: Big entry with mouthcoating texture, chocolate like flavors, enough astringency to hold for several more years, enough acid to bring the fruit out in the finish. This wine has quite a bit of aged character already but will probably continue to develop for several years. It’s a tough call whether to drink it now or later. Best to have enough for both.
Wellington Vineyards has been making Syrah since 1993, and this is our second Reserve bottling. We think this is one of the finest Syrahs we have ever made. Some very hot weather during the final ripening phase resulted in higher sugar and lower acid levels than usual. Both our “regular” Syrah and this Reserve have great color, a big, fleshy mid-palate and fantastic intensity of flavor. We arrived at the final blend for this special wine through a series of meticulous tastings and trial blends. Inclusion of a bit of Cabernet sauvignon was the final touch, firming up the structure, adding focus, and actually intensifying the Syrah character.
Gold medal Sonoma County Harvest Fair 10/06
90 Points Wine Enthusiast
2002 Reserve Syrah Winemaker’s tasting notes, Feb. 28, 2008
Color: Very deep, saturated ruby – no purple tints remain, but no signs of brick or brown tones yet. Aroma: This wine has reached a stage of development where the elements are well married and no longer stand out as individual components. The aroma has good intensity but is hard to define. There is some ripe, jammy blackberry with leather and molasses notes. With time and air hints of black pepper, cedar, fresh earth, black currant, truffle, mint, bacon and cocoa reveal themselves. Palate: Big entry with mouthcoating texture, chocolate like flavors, enough astringency to hold for several more years, enough acid to bring the fruit out in the finish. This wine has quite a bit of aged character already but will probably continue to develop for several years. It’s a tough call whether to drink it now or later. Best to have enough for both.