Shane Finley Visits The OC

Fratello's Laguna Niguel
Tasted Wednesday, February 3, 2010 by Frank Murray III with 498 views

Introduction

We are getting pretty good about having Shane down and keeping it real @ Fratello's. 17of us hung out last night and enjoyed what I think Frenchmeister counted as 40 bottles. I didn't have the 'nad to TN all the bottles and while I took some notes, I tried to focus on the wines Shane brought, since I buy and drink these wines, of which last night a few were new releases I had yet to taste. I am certain that Wet Rock or Mr London have some additional TNs should they see the post. Overall, a good time and I survived to do a full day of work today.

Flight 1 (2 Notes)

  • 2008 Spell Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

    Tasted upon opening and then later in the meal to create a final TN. Lots of nice spice on the wine (not brown spice) but spice in the aromatics. With 30% whole cluster, this I am sure adds some to the mix. Lots of darker fruit, but more blue to me than black, along with what my notes say was a hint of cranberry. Forest floor with some tart on the edge and even some loam on the finish. Damn solid with a star next to my notes.

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  • 2008 Spell Pinot Noir Russian River Valley

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

    As compared to the Spell SCoast, this shows the AVA in which it came. And to in comparison, have to say I prefer the SC over this RRV. Lots of raspberry, hint of raspberry jam, red apple, a medium frame and seeming less defined and complex than the SC, more singular at this stage.

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Flight 2 (4 Notes)

  • 2007 Shane Syrah The Unknown

    USA, California, Sonoma County

    We also had with the 2008 Unknown this 2007, which was served direct from bottle. Has a similar nose to the 2008 Jemrose, what my notes say again as bloody/marrow. Seems to have a decent amount of what I thought was wood tannin, like barrel tannin on the tongue, but given the whole cluster in this wine, I may have missed the mark on this point. Smooth palate, olive and my main impression, this wine has softened up a lot since it first was released with the other 2007s. Drinking much smoother now.

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  • 2008 Shane Syrah The Unknown

    USA, California, Sonoma County

    Of the 2008 Shane, seems the tighest to me and most wrapped up. Primary and youthful, along with tannic. It did soften with some air and of the 2008s, this was the only cuvee I did not pour to the decanter (as we did with the Jemrose and Judge cuvees). Plush and full weighted with olive, chocolate and chalk. Needs time. I did buy 2 in my recent order and I will hold them until at least end of 2010 before I try another one.

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  • 2008 Shane Syrah Jemrose Vineyard

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Bennett Valley

    For me, the standout of the three Shane 2008 syrahs. Was poured to decanter and was served from it throughout the meal. Has that bloody smell, with iron notes, too. Smooth and balanced. With time, it seemed to tighten, which I pointed out to Shane. Not released yet and will need some time but very nice and will stand out.

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  • 2008 Shane Syrah Judge Vineyard

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Bennett Valley

    This is a big ass wine, the biggest of the Shane 2008s. Big flowery nose, with ripe syrah expression, even some heat. The palate shows a big push of dark fruit, spicy, with iron ore and a dark finish. I have about 8 ounces left from last night so intend to revisit and sure I got the wine nailed properly........and retasting the wine tonight, at home in a different setting and with 24 hours of air time, the wine appears different. First, the aromatic seems more floral now, including what is like a crushed mint note, which I included as heat last night. Is there heat aromatically now? Nope. The palate is full of dark blackberry fruit, with some juiciness, bittersweet chocolate and some faint licorice and mineral. While I was not wowed by this wine last night, I can say now that I like it much more as it walks both between flamboyant and pure. Will need another year of bottle age to really soften.

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