California Syrah Virtual Offline

My place
Tasted Saturday, October 8, 2005 by trankin with 501 views

Introduction

California Syrah Virtual Offline, had a few friends over to work through a couple syrahs. I picked out the 2000 Ojai Bien Nacido and the 02 JC Cellars Caldwell Vineyard. When my friends showed up with a Cahors for the evening, I decided to add one more Cal Syrah - the 03 Tensley Colson Canyon. Not wanting to advantage or disadvantage any wines, I avoided decanting so all wines could be opened at the same time.

We started with the JC Caldwell, which was excellent to begin with, and developed beautifully over the evening. Next up was the Ojai, which was my favorite initially, largely driven by its huge nose and wonderfull blueberry and floral notes.

It was at this time we started the food - initially sausage-stuffed mushrooms, which are a great pairing with Syrah IMO. Not sure exactly how this worked, but somehow the Ojai and the sausage combined to bring out a beautiful fennel note (there were toasted fennel seeds added to the stuffing, but I rarely notice those).

We then moved on to the Tensley, which was very alcoholic upfront, and somewhat closed (maybe not even the right word, but not showing quite what it should have been). This wine definitely improved the most over the course of the evening, but still wound up as the least favorite (although we all liked it alot by later in the evening).

Flight 1 - Main Event (3 Notes)

In addition to drinking these wines separately, I served Island Short Ribs (braised in mango nectar with a touch of chipotle) with wild mushroom polenta and wilted spinach. An inspired pairing if I say so myself.

  • 2002 Jeff Cohn Cellars Syrah Caldwell Vineyard 93 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Bright purple color. Nose of blueberries and white pepper. Starts with blueberries, blackberries, and dark fruit. Licorice and vanilla with a touch of oak develop over time. Silky tannins, very luxurious. Beautiful, silky wine. Wound up as WOTN for me & the group.

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  • 2000 Ojai Syrah Bien Nacido Vineyard 92 Points

    USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Maria Valley

    Bright purple with a hint of red. Huge nose of blueberries, floral notes, some mineral, white pepper (?). A spicy wine, very concentrated, wonderful dark fruits. Raspberry, blueberry, fennel (? or was that being drawn out of the sausage). Still rather tannic, and quite alcoholic, but the fruit shines right through. A delicious wine.

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  • 2003 Tensley Syrah Colson Canyon Vineyard 89 Points

    USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County

    Reddish purple color. Nose of alcohol, rose, red/dark fruits. Initially quite alcoholic, which blew off a bit over time. Rather acidic and a touch tart - was that granny smiths I tasted? Cranberries, blueberries, blackberries, cherries - all sort of melded together. Wish I had decanted this 6 hours ago. Definitely improved over the 4 hours it was opened.

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