2004 Michael-David Vineyards Syrah Earthquake

Community Tasting Notes (5) Avg Score: 86.9 points

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  4/26/2011 - VeniceCalif wrote: 84 Points

  Decanted 2 hrs ahead. Very deep garnet color, with orange/brown edges showing. Nose has abundant black fruits and wood: Blackberries, blueberries, cedar, with chocolate notes, a bit of licorice. The combination is pleasing. Somewhat less jammy on the palate, with wood and black pepper joining the fruit. The weight of this wine has a syrup element, though, that typifies Lodi wines. Bottle age takes it out of the "fruit bomb" realm, though it's definitely fruit-driven. Overall, it's not really recognizable as a Syrah: just a full-bodied, intense, fruit-forward, dark piece of work. The finish is metallic with very light tannins. Summary: This wine is a bit of a monster, something of a curiosity. Need not be kept any longer, though it will likely hold a few more years. The challenge for this wine is finding something to eat with it. A grilled steak is a good idea, but let it be buffalo or grass-fed beef. With steak sauce. I rated this wine a little higher about a year ago, but the earthy/mushroomy elements are less in evidence now.

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  4/27/2010 - VeniceCalif wrote: 86 Points

  Powerful nose: mushrooms, black fruits, smoke, tar, cola. On the palate, Iron, blackberries, cola, earthy notes. Little tannin, low acidity, alc. 15.5%. This is NOT a balanced wine, but still it's interesting. Not a fruit-bomb, saved from that status by mushroomy & earthy flavors & aromas. But low acidity means that food must be chosen carefully, the more burnt the better. The over-the-top expressiveness of this bottle may not please everyone but it def. pleases me. For sure it's drinkable.

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  8/6/2008 - Sparky_Bos wrote: 87 Points

  Purchased for 50% off and thought it was a good value. Not sure it is a $26 wine otherwise.

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  3/3/2008 - GreatLibations wrote: 87 Points

  Deep and dark with rich ripe blackfruit, coffee, and chocolate aromas. Full nectar with a very jammy structure. Fruit forward,rich and decadent with blackcherry, raspberry, honeysuckle, and chocolate. The finish lasts forever with bacon fat fruit preserve. Spread this on your morning toast.

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  1/30/2008 - nubbin wrote: 89 Points

  Dark pruple. Complex nose of dust, alcohol, dry earth, lavender soap, roasted meats and berries. Initially very hot, but high alcohol blows off to reveal tastes of spicy blueberry, cinnamon, and violets. Twenty minutes into the glass the taste of clove became very pronounced. Very long, dark finish with pleasurable, soft tannins. A very expressive Syrah. A very purple teeth Syarh. 15.5% alco, cork (D 7, F 6; Cent.)

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