Winefool Going Away Party and Cellar Depletion (Jack's Bistro - Chicago IL): Tasted 2 days ago, note from memory. I was a big fan of Pax of this era, and tonight's bottle cam close to my memories. Spiced black fruits with good+ weight, all still nicely fresh enough. Almost in an "old world" Rhone style.
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California Syrah (Webster Wine Bar): Dark ruby core with translucent edges. A gorgeously complex nose of plum, black cherry, bacon fat, black pepper and olive tapenade. The palate has medium-to-full body with great depth of Northern Rhone flavor (black fruit, meat, pepper, olive). Well balanced with lift and persistence. I really love how the early Pax wines have developed into teenagers with complexity, depth, richness and balance.
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The Rotating Dinners, I.1: California Syrah (Chicago, IL): You know what? The last time I had one of the old Pax wines, I hated it, thinking it was just too big and jammy, but I might be coming around to them. They're definitely pushing the envelope though. The nose on this was excellent, showing some really nice black olive tapenade, meat juices, and sweet black fruit. There's a lot going on with the palate, and I especially like that meatiness to it. Nice touch of acidity as well, though I'd like more, but quite frankly, though well-made, this is a wine that is just too big for my taste.
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Not a good showing for this bottle. I haven't had this in probably 5+ years, and don't remember much about it at release, but this bottle seemed fully mature now. This does not speak to me of syrah, with a ripe, kirsch-like nose. Ripe, somewhat hot on the palate, with stewed black cherry and blackberry flavors, and a dry, somewhat astringent finish. Seems somewhat port-like in its flavor profile, and definitely does not show much varietal character in my opinion. Update on day 3: drinking better now; not as disjointed and the stewed character is not as obvious. Still, I would never have guessed syrah if served this blind. Upgraded from 86 to 88+? pts, but not really my cup of tea. Props though for having the biggest punt I've ever seen on a bottle of wine.
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8/26/2023 - Burgundy Al wrote: 90 Points
Winefool Going Away Party and Cellar Depletion (Jack's Bistro - Chicago IL): Tasted 2 days ago, note from memory. I was a big fan of Pax of this era, and tonight's bottle cam close to my memories. Spiced black fruits with good+ weight, all still nicely fresh enough. Almost in an "old world" Rhone style.
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3/7/2016 - Nanda wrote: 95 Points
California Syrah (Webster Wine Bar): Dark ruby core with translucent edges. A gorgeously complex nose of plum, black cherry, bacon fat, black pepper and olive tapenade. The palate has medium-to-full body with great depth of Northern Rhone flavor (black fruit, meat, pepper, olive). Well balanced with lift and persistence. I really love how the early Pax wines have developed into teenagers with complexity, depth, richness and balance.
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3/7/2016 - acyso wrote: 88 Points
The Rotating Dinners, I.1: California Syrah (Chicago, IL): You know what? The last time I had one of the old Pax wines, I hated it, thinking it was just too big and jammy, but I might be coming around to them. They're definitely pushing the envelope though. The nose on this was excellent, showing some really nice black olive tapenade, meat juices, and sweet black fruit. There's a lot going on with the palate, and I especially like that meatiness to it. Nice touch of acidity as well, though I'd like more, but quite frankly, though well-made, this is a wine that is just too big for my taste.
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7/9/2011 - jlgnml wrote: 88 Points
Good, lacked any real depth. Drink up!
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2/9/2011 - GrapeScott wrote: 88 Points
Not a good showing for this bottle. I haven't had this in probably 5+ years, and don't remember much about it at release, but this bottle seemed fully mature now. This does not speak to me of syrah, with a ripe, kirsch-like nose. Ripe, somewhat hot on the palate, with stewed black cherry and blackberry flavors, and a dry, somewhat astringent finish. Seems somewhat port-like in its flavor profile, and definitely does not show much varietal character in my opinion. Update on day 3: drinking better now; not as disjointed and the stewed character is not as obvious. Still, I would never have guessed syrah if served this blind. Upgraded from 86 to 88+? pts, but not really my cup of tea. Props though for having the biggest punt I've ever seen on a bottle of wine.
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