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Virtual Community Tasting Event (VCTE) IV
At Home, Hong Kong
Tasted May 1, 2009 - May 3, 2009 by Wrighty with 318 views
Introduction
A good selection of Syrahs although I couldn't get the french one unfortunately.
Flight 1 (3 notes)
Red
2005 Glen Carlou Syrah
flawed
Opened last night and it was corked. Left it in the decanter and rebottled and brought it home. Tonight there was at one point no corked nose but it returned so couldn't comment on the nose. Palate and structure are noticeable, there's good acidity which seems to lift it somewhat although the palate is a little cloying - chocolate and berry smoothie. Cardboard comes back at the end and on the finish but while I wouldn't buy again, I'm disappointed not to have tried a decent bottle. Probably very good QPR.
Final night and the TCA is still on the nose but less intrusive. Palate has bacon fat, some smoke and white and black pepper. Has a slightly greasy end and not a wine I'd go back to but still good value.
Final night and the TCA is still on the nose but less intrusive. Palate has bacon fat, some smoke and white and black pepper. Has a slightly greasy end and not a wine I'd go back to but still good value.
Red
2005 Long Shadows Wineries Syrah Sequel
89 points
Popped and poured a glass last night and grimaced. Over extracted and just not enjoyable!
Corked the bottle and left 24 hours. Served with roast beef and quite a bit of a transformation. Nose has noticeable alcohol as well as some leather meat. Some of gbm's iron still present. Palate is a bit flat; chewy, hints of spice but there's still the 'forced' element from last night. It's improved but not enough to merit the price.
3rd night and not surprisingly a little faded, still some blood (would this go well with black pudding?) and some fine tannins coming - quite puckering though. A little white pepper on the finish and a little flabby. It improved over the weekend but not enough to warrant either the price or buying another bottle.
Corked the bottle and left 24 hours. Served with roast beef and quite a bit of a transformation. Nose has noticeable alcohol as well as some leather meat. Some of gbm's iron still present. Palate is a bit flat; chewy, hints of spice but there's still the 'forced' element from last night. It's improved but not enough to merit the price.
3rd night and not surprisingly a little faded, still some blood (would this go well with black pudding?) and some fine tannins coming - quite puckering though. A little white pepper on the finish and a little flabby. It improved over the weekend but not enough to warrant either the price or buying another bottle.
Red
2006 John Duval Wines Shiraz Entity
93 points
Popped and poured last night and impressive. Wonderful freshness couple with great fruit.
Corked it and opened today. Still great, nose has a little alcohol but also spice from the wine, not alcohol. Palate has a plushness which is lifted by great acidity. Some peppery spice, some logan berry (?) Slightly chewy finish but in a good way. Something feels northern Rhone about this. Really good and a wine I will buy again having had a different vintage a month ago and was also impressed.
3rd night and like the Sequel, starting to fade. It doesn't seem to get the lift from the acidity it did the previous two nights, fruit's still there but I guess 48 hours open to the air has taken its toll.
Corked it and opened today. Still great, nose has a little alcohol but also spice from the wine, not alcohol. Palate has a plushness which is lifted by great acidity. Some peppery spice, some logan berry (?) Slightly chewy finish but in a good way. Something feels northern Rhone about this. Really good and a wine I will buy again having had a different vintage a month ago and was also impressed.
3rd night and like the Sequel, starting to fade. It doesn't seem to get the lift from the acidity it did the previous two nights, fruit's still there but I guess 48 hours open to the air has taken its toll.
Closing
Reinforces my current thinking that I'm less and less interested in Syrah. The Entity was good but am more excited by Aussie Cabs, shame I couldn't get the St Cosme as I'd have liked a French Syrah to compare. I've quite a few Syrahs in the cellar which will sit and wait and no doubt I'll add a few more along the way.