Community Tasting Note
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Motz wrote: 93 points
February 2, 2014 - A stunner! This followed the 2012 Sinister Hand at a tasting; it is markedly better, and the Sinister Hand is no slouch. This wine features an attention grabbing nose of savory elements, pepper, garrigue, Mediterranean herbs, tar, red meats, licorice, and dark berry fruit. All these elements appear prominently on the richly concentrated palate. Additionally, the wine shows great textural depth, excellent minerality, and a long, complex finish. Wonderful oak treatment, balanced alcohol. This wine puts the mind to warm vintage Côte-Rôtie. 92-93.
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5 Comments
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Dagalaifus commented:
2/7/14, 2:09 AM - I hesitated to purchase this vintage based on some less than stellar tasting notes from my local retailer. You've never steered me wrong, and I will give it a taste later this week.
Then too, having a degree in Latin and Ancient History, I appreciate the Ex Umbris name. -
Motz commented:
2/7/14, 3:57 AM - Always a pleasure to know fellow historians! This wine was certainly a revelation; it boldly advanced 'out of the shadows' of Owen Roe's high end Dubrul Cabernet Sauvignon...and of many other WA Syrah's at twice the price. I recommend drinking it alongside another of your favorite WA wines to compare how great it is. Recommend a light decant.
Tapteil's Spilya Syrahs rank among my favorites from WA, and I think this one is better. -
Dagalaifus commented:
2/7/14, 11:12 AM - I realized after I posted my previous comment that a few years back, I tasted the 09 Ex Umbris and thought it was stellar too, albeit requiring a few years in the cellar to settle down. I wish I kept a bottle of that vintage to compare with the 11.
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Dagalaifus commented:
2/7/14, 12:24 PM - I realized after I posted my previous comment that a few years back, I tasted the 09 Ex Umbris and thought it was stellar too, albeit requiring a few years in the cellar to settle down. I wish I kept a bottle of that vintage to compare with the 11.
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Motz commented:
2/8/14, 4:36 AM - This wine is special because the 2011 vintage in WA was poor, rainy and cooler than normal. Most of the 2011s I have tasted are comparatively shallow, thin, and show greenish notes. This is even the case with most of the wines I have tasted from great vineyards. In general, I have avoided buying 2011s from WA, opting instead for 2010s and 2012s. I have not tasted a more concentrated, deep, and complex 2011 vintage wine than this. I'm sure the cooler vintage helped guide this wine toward the north Rhône austerity, but the wine maker also accomplished a lot, making a concentrated and complex wine without greenish notes.