Syrahs on a Sunday Afternoon
Tasted Sunday, March 27, 2011 by Loren Sonkin with 622 views
Introduction
Yesterday, I met with a group of friends to drink some wine on a Saturday afternoon. The theme was Syrah. All wines popped and poured and consumed blind over the course of 3 hours.
2000 E. Guigal Hermitage 90 Points
France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage
Ruby in color, clear and bright. It took some time to open, then the was raspberries and violets. On the palate, this is mature. A bit thinner. Black raspberries. Noticeably old world and "lighter" but quite enjoyable. Still some slight tannins, but I would drink these, no value to waiting.
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2008 Scholium Project Androkteinos Hudson Vineyard 92 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
When Abe's wine are sound, they can be outstanding as this one was. Inky purple in color. The nose is very nice; earthy, bacon fat, black raspberries and black pepper. On the palate, this is a touch sweet, I would suspect some RS even at the 16.2% stated abv. Plenty of tannins. Some heat on the finish. Kind of in the Syramarone class, but very enjoyable.
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2006 Schwarz Wine Company Shiraz Nitschke Block 87 Points
Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley
Purple/ruby in color. The nose is earthy and sweaty. Some boysenberries. medium bodied. Somewhat tart and acidic on the palate. Boysenberries. A bit out of whack, but nice enough.
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2003 Ojai Syrah White Hawk Vineyard 93 Points
USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County
Amazingly youthful. I would have thought 07 or 08. Inky purple in color. The nose is dusty with black raspberries and a motor oil notes. Rich and lush, very nice texture. On the palate, black raspberries and black pepper. Long finish. Some oak and tannins still showing. This needs more time. Impressive.
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2004 Copain Syrah Eaglepoint Ranch 90 Points
USA, California, North Coast, Mendocino County
I never seem to like these wines as much as others. Ruby/purple in color. The nose is black raspberries and raspberry candy. Medium bodied. Silky texture. Complex with black raspberries, charred earth and pepper. Some heat on the finish. Certainly a great wine, but I get the feeling there is more to offer. Perhaps a few more years will open it up a bit.
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2006 K Vintners The Creator 88 Points
USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley
Another winery that others seem to like more than I. Inky purple/ruby in color. The nose is boysenberry, alcohol, campfire and camphor. A bit thin on the attack. Alcohol, heat and cumbersome compared to the other bottles on the table. Perhaps it can sort itself out. Others seemed less bothered. It is a very pleasant wine and would be fine at a BBQ, but I seemed to missing something here.
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2008 Lucia Syrah Susan's Hill 94 Points
USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands
My first time trying this winery IIRC. Inky purple in color. Black raspberries, campfire, bacon fat, white pepper on the nose. Very nice texture. Juicy, full bodied. Black raspberry and very tight layering on the palate. Nice but needs some time. I really liked this.
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2005 Saxum James Berry Vineyard 95 Points
USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles
Inky purple in color. Ruby at the rim. The nose is dusty, black raspberries, bacon fat, and white pepper. Lush, silky texture. Complex and a bit port like but just delicious. A lightness that belies its size making it very drinkable (the bottle was emptied). Some heat on the finish, but that seemed to sort itself out with air.
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