Syrah Tasting Dinner

Richard with right-sized glass

le gang at Stephen's

• 2003 E. Guigal Hermitage Blanc 91 Points

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage

  Lemon cream nose; silky mouthfeel, solid lemon cream palate with depth but not showing much complexity, a little dumb now; medium finish

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• 2005 Domaine Georges Vernay Condrieu Coteau de Vernon 93 Points

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Condrieu

  Bright medium golden yellow color; amazing floral, lily and vanilla nose, that changes to a honey nose; elegant, silky, sweet citrus palate with minerality and good acidity; medium-plus finish 93+ pts.

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• 1997 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc Flawed

  France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

  Bright dark golden color; slightly corked, oat on nose; cork on palate, a little hot; medium finish

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• 2005 Alban Vineyards Roussanne Estate 93 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Edna Valley

  Medium golden yellow color; luscious lemon and lemon custard nose; lovely rich lemon, juicy palate with good acidity and ageability; medium-plus finish

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Paul, Bill and Al

• 1982 Penfolds Grange 94 Points

  Australia, South Australia

  Dark red color with pale meniscus and floating sediment; nice blueberry, berry and vanilla nose; lovely, blueberry, berry syrup, rich palate with sap; long finish

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• 1988 Paul Jaboulet Aîné Hermitage La Chapelle 92 Points

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage

  Medium dark red color with clear meniscus and floating sediment; bacon and roast lamb nose; tangy and a little tight, smoke, tart red fruit, tomato sauce palate; medium-plus finish 92+ pts.

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• 1989 Qupé Syrah Bien Nacido Vineyard 93 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Maria Valley

  Medium dark red color with pale meniscus; nice roasted plum, barbecue sauce, sweet black fruit and sage nose; mature, hoisin, plum, black fruit, tangy palate; medium-plus finish 93+ pts.

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• 1991 M. Chapoutier Côte-Rôtie La Mordorée 98 Points

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie

  Medium dark red color with clear meniscus and very small floating sediment; horsey, roasted meat and horseradish nose; elegant, beef and lamb jus, roasted red and black fruit palate; long finish

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• 1982 Paul Jaboulet Aîné Hermitage La Chapelle 95 Points

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage

  Lightest in color, light medium red color with tiny floating sediment; mature, sweet beef jus and pepper nose; mature, tasty, focused tart plum, mushroom and leather palate with sap; medium-plus finish 95+ pts.

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• 1999 Château de la Négly Coteaux du Languedoc Clos des Truffiers 94 Points

  France, Languedoc Roussillon, Languedoc, Coteaux du Languedoc

  Black red violet color with cherry meniscus; ripe, focused plum, chocolate and black fruit nose; rich, concentrated, chocolate, mulberry and berry palate; long finish 94+ pts.

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• 1997 Tenimenti d'Alessandro Syrah Cortona Il Bosco 91 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Cortona

  Black red violet color with pale meniscus; porcini mushroom, beef jus nose; tart plum, lamb jus and leather palate; medium-plus finish 91+ pts.

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• 1998 Rene Rostaing Côte-Rôtie La Landonne 94 Points

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie

  Medium dark red violet color with clear meniscus; lovely Cote Roti, roasted fruit, leather, white pepper nose; nice, roasted fruit, pepper and charcoal palate; medium-plus finish WOTF

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• 2001 Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage 96 Points

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage

  Dark red violet color with pale meniscus; baked plum, caramel, blackberry nose; elegant roasted black fruit, youthful palate; long finish

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• 1999 Michel & Stéphane Ogier Côte-Rôtie 93 Points

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie

  Black red violet color with clear meniscus; corked?, pepper, berry and VA nose; tart black fruit, with high acidity, pepper palate; medium-plus finish

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• 1999 Torbreck RunRig 94 Points

  Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley

  Black red violet color with cherry red meniscus; focused black fruit, mulberry, lovely blackberry, rich and with depth; long finish 94+ pts. (WOTF for group)

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• 2004 Alban Vineyards Syrah Lorraine 93 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Edna Valley

  Black red violet with cherry meniscus; black fruit, earth nose; big, concentrated, yet smooth, mocha, blackberry palate; long finish, with heat on finish 93+ pts.

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• 2004 Mitolo Shiraz Reiver 92 Points

  Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley

  Black red violet color with cherry meniscus; mulberry, caramel, cinnamon nose; smooth concentrated black fruit, lower in acidity; medium finish

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• 2004 Route 128 Syrah Opatz Family Vineyard 93 Points

  USA, California, North Coast, Yorkville Highlands

  Black red violet with cherry red meniscus; smoky, black fruit, lavender Necco wafer nose; Necco wafer, black fruit and blackberry palate; long finish

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• 2003 Pax Syrah Kobler Family Vineyard 92 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

  Deep black red violet color with cherry red meniscus; deeper, pepper, black fruit nose; tasty, rich, black fruit, boysenberry palate; long finish

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• 2004 Alban Vineyards Syrah Reva Alban Estate Vineyard 93 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Edna Valley

  Motor oil black color; lovely black fruit with a note of roast beef; tasty, black fruit, berry, focused palate; long finish

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• 1988 Château Climens 93 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Barsac

  Golden apricot color; dried apricot and coconut nose; yummy, coconut and dried apricot palate; medium-plus finish

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