Consumed over two nights (note from the 2nd). This shows cherry, raw-honeycomb, blueberry reduction, and deli meats with blood on the nose. Blind, I might have called the Country of origin as Italy, but Syrah wouldn't have been on top of my list of grape varieties. That said, on night-2, the scents have struck less gamey tones and have settled down and developed a sweeter and more perfumed feminine quality. The same goes on the palate, which while heavy in dirt, game, and blood, now shows more integrated and, dare I say, almost smooth and Syrah like. This wine is probably a few years past prime, but it's undeniably improved 36-hours open while drinking the 2nd half of bottle. It's a different, I suppose depending on your reference, Italian expression of Syrah, and offers a lot of complexity with decent depth and aged structure on a balanced platform. I'm not sure I'm super glad to have four more bottles, but if they were to hold up and drink like this bottle over the next 5-10 years it'll take me to dig them out and drain them, I'll be a happy dude.
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Structurally excellent, with fine grained and powdery tannins and a persistent acidity. Broody dark forest fruit and tobacco notes. It opens up over time so give it some air!
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(IL BOSCO Cortona Syrah) Il Bosco Dear Friends, This is the big brother to the regular Cortona Syrah we offered a few weeks ago and it’s about as anticipated a wine from this region that I can remember. 2004 was a standout vintage around Arezzo and the top wines, from Galatrona to Il Bosco, should prove to be some of the best in Tuscany. After an 2003 vintage across Chianti Classico and environs that failed to impress (more times than not) due to the extreme conditions, I can report 2004 is a completely different story and the 2004 Il Bosco is a major accomplishment for Massimo d’Alessandro. I realize the 2003 received all the accolades (if I recall it was a WS94 or 95) but I just wasn’t sold on it the way I am on the 2004 (which is a similar story for me with many highly rated 2003 Tuscan wines like Felsina’s Rancia bottling where the 2004 simply makes mincemeat of the 2003). This is a refined and regal example that has power, elegance and impact in the same sip - not an easy thing to achieve. If you are interested in the European development of Syrah in regions outside of the Rhone Valley (or just Syrah in general), Massimo d’Alessandro’s inspiration continues to be his love affair with La Mouline coupled with an impression left at that fateful Shiraz tasting we were a part of at Arnolfo years ago. The combination has served him well - and I believe it will do wonders for your faith that Cote Rotie inspired wine from old-world terra firma (with a flair all its own) is a very good thing: This wine is a multiple Tre Bicchieri winner in years past, 3-Star Veronelli and 5/5 Grappoli winner. I expect the 2004 to follow suit and set a new benchmark for this wine. We have a great price on this item, about the same as in Tuscany. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED ONE SHIPMENT ONLY at this price directly from the source. 2004 Il Bosco Syrah Cortona (Luigi d’Alessandro) Thank you, Jon Rimmerman Garagiste Seattle, WA Italy7790
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12/14/2022 - z_willus_d wrote: 91 Points
Consumed over two nights (note from the 2nd). This shows cherry, raw-honeycomb, blueberry reduction, and deli meats with blood on the nose. Blind, I might have called the Country of origin as Italy, but Syrah wouldn't have been on top of my list of grape varieties. That said, on night-2, the scents have struck less gamey tones and have settled down and developed a sweeter and more perfumed feminine quality. The same goes on the palate, which while heavy in dirt, game, and blood, now shows more integrated and, dare I say, almost smooth and Syrah like. This wine is probably a few years past prime, but it's undeniably improved 36-hours open while drinking the 2nd half of bottle. It's a different, I suppose depending on your reference, Italian expression of Syrah, and offers a lot of complexity with decent depth and aged structure on a balanced platform. I'm not sure I'm super glad to have four more bottles, but if they were to hold up and drink like this bottle over the next 5-10 years it'll take me to dig them out and drain them, I'll be a happy dude.
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11/12/2022 - Helmut Wraak Likes this wine: 91 Points
Big bottle (double magnum) have kept this wine young. I would say it's peaking now and for another 2 - 3 years-
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7/2/2022 - namo wrote: 89 Points
Some variation from bottle to bottle.
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3/3/2021 - Alex Brogan wrote: 89 Points
Structurally excellent, with fine grained and powdery tannins and a persistent acidity. Broody dark forest fruit and tobacco notes. It opens up over time so give it some air!
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12/12/2020 - Burgundy Al wrote:
Popped-and-poured, this has vibrant black fruit to start but quickly faded into something drying and much less interesting.
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