2004 Merryvale Syrah Napa Valley

Community Tasting Notes (1) Median Score: 86 points

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  4/16/2019 - Mossrose wrote: 93 Points

  A superb example of why the Wine Spectator forecast that Syrah would be the year's best new wine from California was not outrageously stupid even though it proved to be badly wrong. The distinctive things about Syrah in California is how dark, fruity, rich, lush, and upfront delicious the wines proved to be. And this 15 year Syrah made by Merryvale from grapes grown in Yountville in Napa nailed how impressively good California Syrah could be, as well as make a fine ageworthy wine. What limited Syrah in California was not lack of quality, but the inability to compete in price with equally great Syrahs from Australia, South Africa, and even the Rhone River Valley. The high price of vineyard land in Napa and other places could be recovered only with growing Cabernet Sauvignon, and certainly not with Syrah. But still, this old Merryvale Syrah stands out for being impressively delightful.

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