Deep color. Smoky, berryish fruit aromatics with a hint of green. Thick, sweet, simple, blackberry fruit. I wish it were half as interesting in the mouth as it is on the nose.
Almost opaque-could only be Syrah! Attractively complex nose. Deep but vibrant-olive, smoke and pepper more than overt fruit. Fine tannic finish without being severe. Real character of French Syrah. A real sleeper I'd never heard of and excellent value. Apparently this is young vine Cornas.
Deep center with some fading toward the rim. Incense and blackberry jam. Good fruit, some herbs, prominent acidity and very stony/mineral finish that sets it apart from anything else in this tasting. A little bit of late burnt matchstick. Very elegant and complex, but it is not yet well integrated and the acidity sticks out at this point.
USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County
Thick, opaque center. Forward, sweet berry fruit. Sweet fruit, caramel, voluminous, and just a touch of green to add something else apart from the fruit. This is a shapeless blob of a wine.
This looks like a young vintage port. Piercing high toned herbs, red fruit and baking spices. Lush feel, super sweet raspberry fruit, complex array of flavors, incredible feel and length. Good structure underneath all of that fruit, much more interest and material than the Tensley possesses. All of that said, this is still head spinning and too much to be suitable table wine. I imagine there are proponents who would say "This is how 1947 Cheval Blanc tasted at this age", but really.
NV Bleasdale Sparkling Shiraz
Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, Langhorne Creek
Grapy nose. Blackberry fruit, fairly tannic, moderate sweetness. Not bad-like a heavier Lambrusco.
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2011 Fausse Piste Syrah Garde Manger
USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
Medium ruby. Weedy nose. Full, thick entry, brambly fruit, lots of oak on finish.
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2010 Domaine de la Terre Rouge Syrah Les Cotes de l'Ouest
USA, California, Sierra Foothills
Deep color. Smoky, berryish fruit aromatics with a hint of green. Thick, sweet, simple, blackberry fruit. I wish it were half as interesting in the mouth as it is on the nose.
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2011 St Hallett Shiraz Barossa
Australia, South Australia, Barossa
Medium ruby. Obvious wood but nice florality too. Medium weight and concentration, high acidity and strong wood tones. This is completely disjointed.
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2012 Johann Michel Cuvée Grain Noir
France, Rhône, Northern Rhône
Almost opaque-could only be Syrah! Attractively complex nose. Deep but vibrant-olive, smoke and pepper more than overt fruit. Fine tannic finish without being severe. Real character of French Syrah. A real sleeper I'd never heard of and excellent value. Apparently this is young vine Cornas.
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2009 Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Saint-Joseph
France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Saint-Joseph
Deep center with some fading toward the rim. Incense and blackberry jam. Good fruit, some herbs, prominent acidity and very stony/mineral finish that sets it apart from anything else in this tasting. A little bit of late burnt matchstick. Very elegant and complex, but it is not yet well integrated and the acidity sticks out at this point.
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2012 Tensley Syrah Colson Canyon Vineyard
USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County
Thick, opaque center. Forward, sweet berry fruit. Sweet fruit, caramel, voluminous, and just a touch of green to add something else apart from the fruit. This is a shapeless blob of a wine.
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2009 Alban Vineyards Syrah Reva Alban Estate Vineyard
USA, California, Central Coast, Edna Valley
This looks like a young vintage port. Piercing high toned herbs, red fruit and baking spices. Lush feel, super sweet raspberry fruit, complex array of flavors, incredible feel and length. Good structure underneath all of that fruit, much more interest and material than the Tensley possesses. All of that said, this is still head spinning and too much to be suitable table wine. I imagine there are proponents who would say "This is how 1947 Cheval Blanc tasted at this age", but really.
Post a Comment / 2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No