Spicy nose, with lots of pine. On the palate, viscous, very grapey, spicy. Really interesting! Big body, medium acidity. Balanced oak. Light round sweetness. Earthy funk that might get old after a bottle? I'll have to let you know, because it intrigued me enough to buy one. :) $30
The nose on this could best be described as "cheap", reminiscent of the many $5 bottles of Syrah, an oaky dark fruit bomb. Round body, smooth tannins and acid. Simple, with almost a hint of sourness. $20ish
Odd nose - rubber band/latex and baby wipes. More going on than the Line Shack, but still a touch of cheapness. Red fruit, a little spice. Medium tannins and acid, minty finish. Disappointing QPR. $35
Beautiful pencil lead, garrigue and mint nose. Much lighter in body than the others. Menthol, medium tannin and acid. Simple but pleasant. Red fruit. Definitely old world. An odd hint of lemon on the finish.
USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County
Very interesting nose - corn, earthy garrigue. On the palate, an interesting blend of smoky, spicy, and earthy for a new-world wine. Restrained and lighter. Medium tannins, acidic. Smooth. $50
Odd nose - medicinal, corn, burnt underbrush and garrigue. Big, rich, medium tannins, acidic. Restrained for a Cali Syrah. Peppery. Medium body. Medicinal. Interesting, but odd, and a disappointing QPR at $60.
Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale
Warning: there was speculation this was corked, but I don't think it was. Chocolate medicine nose, with black fruit. Huge+ body (16.5% alcohol), definitely over-ripe. Spicy, somewhat sweet, hot burning on back of throat. Dessert wine. $40
2005 McCrea Roussanne Ciel du Cheval Vineyard 90 Points
USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Red Mountain
Spicy nose, with lots of pine. On the palate, viscous, very grapey, spicy. Really interesting! Big body, medium acidity. Balanced oak. Light round sweetness. Earthy funk that might get old after a bottle? I'll have to let you know, because it intrigued me enough to buy one. :) $30
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2006 Line Shack Winery Syrah 84 Points
USA, California, Central Coast
The nose on this could best be described as "cheap", reminiscent of the many $5 bottles of Syrah, an oaky dark fruit bomb. Round body, smooth tannins and acid. Simple, with almost a hint of sourness. $20ish
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2007 Syncline Syrah 87 Points
USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
Odd nose - rubber band/latex and baby wipes. More going on than the Line Shack, but still a touch of cheapness. Red fruit, a little spice. Medium tannins and acid, minty finish. Disappointing QPR. $35
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2005 Cave de Tain Cornas Héritiers Gambert Arènes Sauvages 88 Points
France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Cornas
Beautiful pencil lead, garrigue and mint nose. Much lighter in body than the others. Menthol, medium tannin and acid. Simple but pleasant. Red fruit. Definitely old world. An odd hint of lemon on the finish.
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2004 Ojai Syrah White Hawk Vineyard 90 Points
USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County
Very interesting nose - corn, earthy garrigue. On the palate, an interesting blend of smoky, spicy, and earthy for a new-world wine. Restrained and lighter. Medium tannins, acidic. Smooth. $50
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2006 Red Car Syrah The Speakeasy 88 Points
USA, California
Odd nose - medicinal, corn, burnt underbrush and garrigue. Big, rich, medium tannins, acidic. Restrained for a Cali Syrah. Peppery. Medium body. Medicinal. Interesting, but odd, and a disappointing QPR at $60.
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2004 Marquis Philips Shiraz 9 85 Points
Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale
Warning: there was speculation this was corked, but I don't think it was. Chocolate medicine nose, with black fruit. Huge+ body (16.5% alcohol), definitely over-ripe. Spicy, somewhat sweet, hot burning on back of throat. Dessert wine. $40
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