Mom's Bookgroup Does Syrahs - Blind

In honor of the Paso Robles Wine Festival, mom's (CT handle is Kermadur) bookgroup read a book on wine and I organized a blind tasting of syrahs for them (and me!)...all wines were served blind (only I knew what they were, but did not know what was what).

• 2004 Anglim Syrah 75 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles

  4+8+10+3+50 = 75 - Average
  clear ruby red...light on the nose with red fruits and some sweetness...a little thing with flavors of red currants and cranberries

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• 2005 Yalumba Shiraz & Viognier Barossa 86 Points

  Australia, South Australia, Barossa

  5+10+15+6+50 = 86 - Very Good
  deep red, almost opaque...rich and spicy nose, with a little heat...medium bodied with balanced fruit, strong acid, and decent tannins...not a huge wine, but an enjoyable drink

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• 2005 E. Guigal Côte-Rôtie Brune et Blonde 73 Points

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie

  4+7+9+5+50 = 73 - Below Average
  cloudy red color...medicinal/chemical aromas...creamy flavors, but also quite bitter

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• 2005 Red Bicyclette Syrah 79 Points

  France, Languedoc Roussillon, Vin de Pays d'Oc

  5+10+10+4+50 = 79 - Average
  deep clear red color...spice box on the nose with hints of black fruits...thin flavor, with some red fruits and a little creaminess

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• 2005 McPrice Myers Syrah 92 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast

  5+13+16+8+50 = 92 - Outstanding
  deep red/black color...rich nose with black fruits...richness continues on the palate with great ripe fruit and spice...rich and ripe, but with great balance

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• 2006 Robert Hall Syrah 85 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles

  5+11+13+6+50 = 85 - Very Good
  clear red/purple color...nose has black fruits, wood (cedar?), and red fruits with a nice brightness...medium bodied with same wood flavors along with some leather

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I was really surprised by the Guigal...after the reveal, I kept going back to it, but it never got any better...perhaps a bad bottle...it was consistent throughout the group that it wasn't very good...I was also surprised by the Anglim, as I have enjoyed that wine in the past, but that night it didn't show well...the Barrel 27 was really great and can be found for fairly cheap as its their entry level bottling...the WOTN for me and for most of the group as well.