Given the rave reviews of the very young 2016 Pax Sonoma Hillsides Syrah, which I managed to try a few weeks ago, I decided to see how the same wine tastes in a good vintage at age 10. Cheaper, too.
Still very deeply colored, the 2006 has a nose of pomegranate and spice cake, vanilla, lilac (and like lilac, a little goes a long way: this particular aroma is a bit overpowering). Richly textured, almost a bit viscous. The syrah fruit here is on the tart side, which saves the wine. Nice persistence on the palate.
My take: the 2016 is cut from the same pattern, and will be a clone of the 2006 at age 10. A good syrah, easily justifies my 90pt score. But just as I'm skeptical that the 2016 merits 100pts, this 10 year old wine is great, but doesn't justify more than 90. A boire, but no urgency.
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Wonderful Rhone Style Cote Rotie Rhone made in the US. A lot of cherries and dried meat also some initial sourness. Very interesting, complex finish. First nose wet muddy soil quickly replaced by dominant cheerie fruit. This wine is a perfect companionship to meat pot dishes while the wind, rain pours down outside
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9/23/2018 - christianderivel wrote:
Gee,......two years too late. Over the hill, passed its time. My mistake.
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5/25/2018 - KPB wrote: 90 Points
Given the rave reviews of the very young 2016 Pax Sonoma Hillsides Syrah, which I managed to try a few weeks ago, I decided to see how the same wine tastes in a good vintage at age 10. Cheaper, too.
Still very deeply colored, the 2006 has a nose of pomegranate and spice cake, vanilla, lilac (and like lilac, a little goes a long way: this particular aroma is a bit overpowering). Richly textured, almost a bit viscous. The syrah fruit here is on the tart side, which saves the wine. Nice persistence on the palate.
My take: the 2016 is cut from the same pattern, and will be a clone of the 2006 at age 10. A good syrah, easily justifies my 90pt score. But just as I'm skeptical that the 2016 merits 100pts, this 10 year old wine is great, but doesn't justify more than 90. A boire, but no urgency.
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10/31/2016 - wino121 wrote: 88 Points
Rough around the edge, tannic but in good shape age wise..maybe in an odd spot.
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3/7/2015 - Kris G Likes this wine: 92 Points
smoke, very long and rich, classy wine, full
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1/10/2015 - Roggen Likes this wine: 92 Points
Wonderful Rhone Style Cote Rotie Rhone made in the US. A lot of cherries and dried meat also some initial sourness. Very interesting, complex finish. First nose wet muddy soil quickly replaced by dominant cheerie fruit. This wine is a perfect companionship to meat pot dishes while the wind, rain pours down outside
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