Important Update From the Founder

Seattle Tasting Group does Syrah & Shiraz

Seattle, WA, USA

Tasted February 9, 2003 by Eric with 1,579 views

Introduction

I would like to extend a sincere thanks to Jason Goldberger and Tracy Leonard for hosting the second meeting of the Seattle Tasting Group. The food (really tasty smoked pork roast, creamed spinach and roasted potatoes. Yummy!) was delicious, the company was terrific, and a good time was had by all. The theme was Syrah/Shiraz tasted blind. We tasted 12 of these in three flights along with a warmup of some whites and a warmdown of some dessert wines.

Flight 1 - Flight 1 (White) (4 notes)

White

2001 d'Arenberg The Hermit Crab Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale

88 points

Nose of honey showing plenty of oak. Silky palate with citrus elements. Nice, crisp acidity on the finish.

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White

2001 Pride Mountain Vineyards Viognier USA, California, Sonoma County

90 points

My bottle. This was served a bit cool (my bad!). At first the nose was spicy with some not too subtle oak. Later in the evening this was showing more typical apricot and peach and vibrant floral notes. On the palate this was zingy and racy with acidity, some toasty oak and a nice silkiness. On the finish there is a nice, spicy element. This one had a lot of alcohol and acid which balanced well with the wood. This is my second straight CA Viognier contribution, so now I have folks thinking that’s all I cellar…

Comment

White

2001 Chalone Vineyard Chenin Blanc USA, California, Central Coast, Chalone

87 points

Lemon and citrus notes on the nose. I found a touch of bitterness on the palate that faded in time with nice notes of vanilla and excellent minerality and acidity. I found the finish to be tight but improving with air.

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White

1998 Sine Qua Non Backward & Forward USA, California, Napa Valley

91 points

This was easily the white of the night. Straw colored in the glass, toasty hazelnut and am almost burned nose of buttered toast (most folks kept a glass around and the hazelnut/filbert element gained strength with the evening). On the palate this was silky with a voluptuous mouthfeel and a nice finish that ‘leapt’ in my mouth.

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Flight 2 - Flight 2 (Syrah/Shiraz) (4 notes)

Red

1995 Turley Petite Syrah Aida Vineyard USA, California, Napa Valley

89 points

This was the ringer. Black as night (and then even a bit blacker), this came out of the bottle with a burst of blueberry and blackberry before clamping shut and becoming very reticent. There was loads of structure and a remarkably deep palate. The finish was powerful although to my taste (and I was one of the lowest ratings) it was somewhat monolithic and drying. Everyone could clearly sense that a giant was hiding beneath the surface, and this wine easily could use 10 more years before it really gives its true love.

Comment

Red

1990 M. Chapoutier Côte-Rôtie Brune et Blonde France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie

88 points

This was the oldest red of the night and the only Rhone. It was significantly brown around the edges and perhaps a touch over the hill, although one couldn’t help but think that this was a wine which deserved to be savored alone in front of the fireplace. This showed a dusty, aged palate still with ample tannin and firm acidity. With time a classic bacon fat element emerged, and some noted leather and even strawberry. The finish was somewhat drying but seemed to improve with time. I for one think this one would have held up admirably for the evening, but alas onto the next…

Comment

Red

1996 Henschke Shiraz Mount Edelstone Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Eden Valley

84 points

I was the definite outlier on this wine, as the nose sported very strong scents of eucalyptus and mint which were simply over the top for my palate. There was a nice smokiness along with the herbal elements. On the palate this had a blazing attack of fruit, but again I picked up loads of mint and a medicinal quality, and this carried through on the powerful finish. For me it was off-putting and I vacillated for 15 minutes trying to figure out if I loved or hated the wine. I the end I went more towards hate, but it was clearly a distinct wine. (and everyone else was 4-9 points higher than me)

Comment

Red

1998 Dehlinger Syrah USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

92 points

This was the most surprising wine of the night for me. It oozed blackness, and I thought for sure it was an Aussie. The nose was blackberry jam with a spicy, meaty, vanilla background. On the palate there were massive gobs of fruit with plenty of tannin, alcohol, and toasty oak. The finish was sweet and pure, medium in length. Wine of the flight.

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Flight 3 - Flight 3 (Syrah/Shiraz) (4 notes)

Red

2001 Marquis Philips Shiraz 9 Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale

94 points

On pure points this was the WOTN and was truly impressive. Pepper, smoke, blackness, and loads of blueberry. On the palate this had searing tannin, massive extract and reams of fruit. The finish was a little dry but exuded power, power and more POWER! The average rating of the group was over 93 points.

Comment

Red

1997 Elderton Shiraz Single Vineyard Command Australia, South Australia, Barossa

92 points

Loads of oak on the nose with liqeur, black fruit, and a tiny hint of mint. Amazing mouthfeel with stunning purity. At first the finish was a little disappointing, but with time in the glass it gained a port-like quality. Really nice effort.

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Red

2000 Betz Family Syrah La Côte Rousse USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Red Mountain

93 points

This was a surprising WA-state effort that was clearly a different beast than the Aussies. I found a distinctly meaty nose with pleasant medicinal elements. The mid-palate had lovely balance with smoky notes. I loved the finish which showed nice persistence.

Comment

Red

1998 The Fleurieu Shiraz Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale

92 points

For whatever reason, 7 of the 8 of us were at a loss for words with this wine, yet it was universally liked (rated 89-92 by everyone with 6 scores of 91 or 92 out of 8 tasters). The nose was like blackberry syrup with some medicinal notes. There was very obvious alcohol and ample tannins on the palate. There was as an almost indescribable spiciness that added a lot to this. I found the finish hot, yet I loved the wine. Hmm.

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Flight 4 - Flight 4 (Syrah/Shiraz) (4 notes)

Red

2001 Kloovenburg Shiraz South Africa, Coastal Region, Swartland

90 points

This South African wine was surprising. Spicey and gamey on the nose, on the palate it tasted of boysenberry. At first to my taste it had lovely purity and texture, but it started it get a bit rougher with time in the glass. The finish showed obvious oak and a touch of alcohol. Despite this, it was a nice effort.

Comment

Red

1997 Griffin Creek Syrah USA, Oregon, Southern Oregon, Rogue Valley

89 points

This Oregon wine was unique, and I termed it as a “victim of the format.” It was clearly overmatched by its siblings in the lineup. I found the nose to be beautiful with a minty freshness. The palate was balanced but thin to the point of watery relative to the other wines. The finish was clean with a nice touch of mint but a bit clipped. Still an interesting wine.

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Red

1999 Kay Brothers Shiraz Block 6 Amery Vineyards Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale

96 points

My bottle. On points this was nipped by the MP Shiraz 9 for WOTN, although subsequently 5 of 8 tasters declared it as their favorite. Anyway, onto the wine. This one really was unique. I found cola, faints hits of licorice and an almost root-beer like element on the nose. On the palate this was a gentle giant, massive extraction, black as night, smooth with a ginger-like sharpness and layers of complex flavor and texture. (Wow am I glad I have 2 more in the cellar!) In my notes all I have is WOW FINISH! I have half a glass of leftovers to sample, and holey Toledo is this one great finish. I was gaga over this, and like the MP 9 this came in at an average of over 93 points.

Comment

Red

2000 Cayuse Syrah Bionic Frog USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley

94 points

Somewhat reticent at first, this showed notes of pepper and blackberry with hints of smoke. Loads of toasty oak, spice, funkiness, and nice balance on the palate. Really nice mouthfeel in fact. Lingering finish with spicy, dancing elements. I rated this more highly than the other tasters. (I kept revising upward each time I tasted.)

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