11/11/2011 - SPK wrote:

Good fruit, floral and spice on the nose. The palate shows more spice and some oak, but the fruit stays balanced in the mix. This really floats in the mouth, making this wine very pleasant and nice.

11/11/2011 - SPK wrote:

Has berries, lavendar, and some pepper on the nose. On the palate there was a smooth mouthfeel and it stayed iin line with what the nose was showing. Good finish

11/11/2011 - SPK wrote:

This wine, as all the wines in the tasting, had a good four hours with the bottle open before we started to taste. There was dark fruit, game and pepper on the nose with a touch of herbal and floral in the background. The palate followed suit and added some smokiness. This wine showed very well and won wine of the night for the group and was my top wine of the night, as well. I did not get any heat at all tonight. This might account for the fact that the parts seemed to really be coming together and not competing for me on this night.

11/11/2011 - SPK wrote:

A bright red color. Strawberry on the nose which shows as a velvety strawberry on the palate. The finish was solid and balanced. Seemed to be in a good place right now. A fun grenach and would say drink now.

11/11/2011 - SPK wrote:

The only non-Cali wine in the group. The color comes across dark and dense. There is some raisin mixed in with the fruit on the palate. A brown sugarness to it, that needed just a little more back bone of acid to hold it up. Flavors are there, but they just seem to be not able to come together with the ripeness component.

11/11/2011 - SPK wrote:

Nose of blueberry and some blackberry with spices and earth. A ripeness quality that might be too much for some, but it was not for me. There was a friend at this tasting that is just jumping into the world of wine and this particular bottle was very much to his palate. He mentioned how he would now order a zin for dinner, when it would never have crossed his mind before. While I liked it very much now, I would say give it more time in the bottle to see where it goes.

11/11/2011 - SPK wrote:

Big, lush, huge wine. Seriously, jumps out of the glass at you. And by gosh, I like it. Kind of like the wine is saying, "You like me wearing these high heels as much as I like wearing them for you." I tried this wine for the first time about 3 months ago, and honestly, was not expecting to be moved by it. Well, it did move me in a very positve direction and I specifically got a bottle for this tasting. There was lots of dark berry fruit and some good chocolate with sucanat sugar in there. Strong finish. The most impressive thing, to me, about this wine is how the burst of big flavor hits your palate in such a desirable way. Liked drinking it now.

11/11/2011 - SPK wrote:

Popped this wine and gave it about 4 hours of air. Alcohol is present but not intrusive. Lots of dark fruit and some pepper. Nice acidity with a good finish. Good medium-soft mouth feel. Did not feel the oak took over, but it was present.

5/15/2011 - SPK wrote:

Finishing off the last of the bottle from last night. While many of my wine friends' palates are changing/evolving/exploring, as well as mine, I still find that when a wine caries balance across the nose/palate/finish that I can do that style and respect it for hitting the apex that the maker was shooting for. This IMHO does CA syrah justice. Flowery nose, blueberries, too. Big fruit on the palate, but the tannins and acid are shaking hands in harmoneous agreement. The finish is the energizer bunny. It just keeps going and going....... I did not taste this as the bottle was opened, but did later in the day and now posting on it the next day. I am sure it goes without saying. Give it air. Drinking in a really good place right now, and see now reason why it will go anywhere downhill soon.

5/7/2011 - SPK wrote:

Opened this up and had a glass. It seemed closed and tight upon opening. Trying to show my new found discipline to let the wine breath for awhile, I let the rest sit over night. The next day it was showing better, but still needs bottle time.(this will be my next challenge, to let bottles stay in my cooler until they are ready. Ya, you heard me right, Robo). On the nose there was stems and black fruit with some red fruit. On the palate stems, fruit, and chalk. Still seems subdued and waiting to evolve, but all the components are there for it to evolve in a solid, balanced direction. Many times on wines sourced from Thompsons, I get a little tobacco and then some moca/ unsweetened chocolate on the finish. At this point, I was not getting any of that yet. Would love to see where this goes in 3 to 5 years as I think all things are in place for it to hit a great spot.

4/6/2011 - SPK wrote:

This is IMHO in a really good place right now. I am on day three of this bottle and by gosh it is holding up well. Great blue/black fruit with pepper overtones, although the pepper has slightly scaled back as each day goes by. Solid tannins, but the balance is what does it for me. It just melds together on the finish with some sublte old school metal shavings in there. I can't decide if it was better on day one or day three. I thnk day three might have an edge. Dare I say, as the finish lingers, I am even getting some dry mocha. Just a lot going on over three days with this. Great wine.

3/6/2011 - SPK wrote:

Nice nose with citris and a light ocean air like tone. Upon opening a lemon, citris palate with some smoke that eventually was less as the wine sat and a touch of mineral stone. Acid seemed a little slow developing for the first 20 to 30 minutes, but as the smoke slowly faded the acid started to show up. At this point the wine hit a great balance with the minerality(stone), lemon, and acid. Drinking very well with a medium finish. A great example of an elegant wine with good structure and balance with a feminine grip.

10/9/2010 - SPK wrote:

Gave a good four to five hour decant. Sipped along the way to gauge how the decant played. I am really starting to understand about giving a wine the proper decant. Can't say I always have the discipline to do so, but am getting it more and more. Dark in color, good berry when it opens up. Very muted when first popped, give it some air and you will be very happy. About the three hour mark is when it started to show itself. Some tar and pepper to go along with the berry. Ends with a medium finish. I see this wine getting better with age, although it is nice where it is right now considering its youth.

7/11/2010 - SPK wrote:

Gave it a good chill and then popped and poured. Nose started to really show as the wine warmed up, apricots. The palate gives way to more apricots and tropical fruit. Some acidity, very drinkable now, with a nice finish. Great summer wine and a good value. This is one of those wines you should always have a couple of bottles of an hand. In the sweetness there is a very subtle seashell/minerality.

7/6/2010 - SPK wrote:

This bottle is in a good drinking place right now. Popped and poured about a third of it and got lots of blue fruit, leather, and smoke that was balanced very well with a good/right amount of acid. Finished the bottle up the next day and it was pretty much in the same place as when I popped and poured it, but did start to pick up subtle white pepper. This wine just sits so nice on the palate. Great wine and a top candidate for QPR of the year.

4/25/2010 - SPK wrote:

Thank you Chris of Main Steet Wine Cellar in Seal Beach for popping this. I have not had a lot of Austrailain Shiraz, so this was nice treat. The color is a dark, deep purple. On the nose I get fruit, smoke, and a very subtle touch of spice. The palate follows the nose with, but with the oak promplty showing up at this point. All the flavors are nicely balanced. Nice structure and nice finish.

2/20/2010 - SPK wrote:

Great nose of meat and smoke with dark fruit. The palate follows the nose. After a few hours the fruit is still very much there with a touch of chocolate. It felt nice and smooth. Did give it about an hour decant and drank over a few hours. Thank you FCMIII for sharing this bottle.

2/20/2010 - SPK wrote:

Gave the wine a good cooling, then drank over the course of a few hours. Outstanding nose with lots of raspberry fruit some cola, and brown spice. The palate has the same as the nose, but with some citrus on it. Long deep finish. After a couple hours and towards the end of the bottle I started to pick up some additional compenents. I could not descibe it exactly, but FCMIII called it, subtle graphite, lead right amoungst all the fruit, cola, and brown spice. This wine stayed in balance while the layers kept coming through. A beautifully, well made wine.

2/8/2010 - SPK wrote:

Popped this bottle last night and had only a glass. Second day is stellar. White pepper on the nose with a good amound of black and blue fruit. Loved what Jimmeythesaint had to say in his note, as I always have a bottle put me at a special place. For me syrah with white pepper and game puts me in a log cabin with a toasty fire going. The wine shows great balance and acidity. This will get better with time, but if you want to drink it now, I could not say don't do so, as it was absolutely perfect, wait for day two though. The finish is a long lasting, enjoyable treat.

2/6/2010 - SPK wrote:

Pulled this wine out of the cellar for a birthday gift to myself. Well worth it. Deep raspberry, boysenberry, and cherry flavors. Rich, classy sex appeal all over this wine. Feels nice on the palate, with fruit hitting everywhere. Has some spice with a good balanced acidity and a finish that keeps going and going and going.

1/31/2010 - SPK wrote:

Some earthiness on the nose with some fruit. Neither one dominating, also getting some forest floor. Medium to dark color of ruby. Upon the first taste there is mineral, sedimentary slate, some fruit with a good dose of grapefruit acidity. Medium finish as the acid is toning down the other flavors. Night two might bring more components together and let them show through. A nice wine and enjoyable.

1/18/2010 - SPK wrote:

Had half the bottle on night one and felt I would wait for night two to give notes. Getting fruits, tar, and some herb. A touch of heat that seems to come and go. bareley noticeable. Left this bottle open all night and then put the cork in it this morning and back into the cellar until now. I figured I have a day off, rain is falling down in buckets, it is time to check out the Carlisle. Not a significant change there is still fruit, tar, but the herb gives just a hint of tea. Maybe it is just the mood I am in, but subtle tea on the finish as well. The finish is very long and clean. An absolutely pleasant wine. BTW, we are not talking nestea, I am talking sumatra tea, baby.

1/13/2010 - SPK wrote:

Opened this last night and had only one glass. Herbal nose, deep purple(smoke on the water) color, first taste right out of the gate lots of white pepper with earth and subtle fruit, good finish. As I gave it some time in the glass started to come around, but I knew as it was evolving to wait and get it on night two. Very good decision by me. On night two this is a wine that is just coming together a singing a song in my glass(this probably would have happened with a good decant on night one, but I popped and poured) The pepper, herbs and fruit are in perfect balance complementing each other, just a touch of heat, but I am liking it. More chewy fruit showing on night two. super finish. For some reason I just keep seeing myself in a mountain lodge on a snowy night in front of a fireplace enjoying this wine. One thing is I am amazed how well this is drinking so young. Quick note I left the bottle open all night and put a cork in it the morning and back into the cellar. Both this wine and the Gary's are definitely WOW wines for me.

1/5/2010 - SPK wrote:

Decanted for about an hour then started trying it. Fruit driven(very berry in a good way) with some youthfulness showing. Obviously to be expected early on. Sits firmly in the palate, yet only wanting you to slowly finish it, as it is a pleasrable experience. As the the time goes by more blue and black fruit with some chalkiness. This is a wine to watch for as it is awesome now and shows no signs of going in any other direction but better. That better statement is based on an already top notch syrah. This wine has the WOW factor. The "IT" factor. or whatever you want to call it, this wine is happening.

12/31/2009 - SPK wrote:

Seeing only two previous notes on this bottle I would have to agree with rogerr, as the two notes seem to be in different directions. Would like to know hollandk's impressions as to why he/she felt it was an 84. Not trying to call anyone out, just curious for the input. I found deep berry and and richness all around. While it did get better with air, it still has a touch of heat on it. Even on day two there was a tad bit of heat. I am sure as this gets some time in the bottle the heat will be gone, but an all around nice wine and worth a revisit in 6 to 12 months.

12/19/2009 - SPK wrote:

There is dark cherry and berry all over this wine which sits on the palate superbly. Some spice jumps in and some oak. While there are very solid flavors and a good finish in the wine right now, I just kept feeling that it was holding back, not giving all it has just yet. The youngness is not letting it show everything, while still giving enough to be impressive. A very good showing, just wait a year or so.

12/11/2009 - SPK wrote:

There is lots going on with this wine: chocolate, cherry, a hint of pepper, smoke, currant and a touch of tar. Sits very even on the palate and balanced throughout. The finish still shows signs of being young, but expected of course, as I am drinking it as a youngin'. FCMIII would be proud. This is drinking so well right now that it is hard to say don't open one and try it, but discipline is the key as it will be mind blowing to see where this wine goes over the years to come.

7/19/2009 - SPK wrote:

Wow, is this drinking super fine right now. Nice rich dark color. The nose just wafts fruit that is dark and blue and deep. And while all this is happening, it is just surrounded by elegance and style. Tannins are soft, but are in balance with the acid and more fruit on upon tasting. This is one of the best PS I have had in a long time. The finish is superb and leaves a lovely lingering subtle flavor that intices the next sip. WOW, WOW, and WOW again.

6/28/2009 - SPK wrote:

Upon opening just a tad bit of musty funk, but it subdued quickly to fruit and a leathery gaminess with smoke and olive. Nice deep purple color. There is a lot going on in this wine right away, but it all is so extremely balanced. It evolves with each pour and taste, which is something I really enjoy in a wine. I think it is very drinkable now and will have a hard decision to let my last bottle rest. The finish is strong, but just a very slight tough of heat. It is almost not worth mentioning in the overall performance of this wine.

6/17/2009 - SPK wrote:

My second bottle of this. This is just an outstanding bottle of wine. Decadent from start to finish, but in balance. Nice fruit(blueberries, raspberries, black berries with floral notes) on the nose(have not given it much air time yet, either.) Just keeps getting better with every second of air. Upon first taste just a burst of fruit with solid tannins, but with balance still. I see this gettng better with age as it just seems to have more behind the scenes. I have had discussions about petite and questions have been asked does it age or just get older. This is one time I am going with it will age and the layers and components will get at an even better level. Beautiful deep purple color. This wine has definitely given me a WOW factor. FM3 I would like this to be the bottle of wine we have when we play Rosebay Gin. I am gong to get some more, for sure.

6/15/2009 - SPK wrote:

Deep inking dark color. Opened and got a funky nose of brett. Upon tasting got seriouos blue and black fruits. After about an hour still got brett on the nose with blue fruit starting to show. Some chalkiness there as well. Decant finish, but there is touches of eat there. Liked it now, but could be drank now or later. Think it will stay where it is at.

6/10/2009 - SPK wrote:

DAMN, I had been looking forward to this wine and something is off. This has to be a flawed bottle, getting barnyad and brett. DAMN. Back to the Cellar. This corked thing can get expensive

6/9/2009 - SPK wrote:

Took some time to open, but well worth the wait. Game on the nose with a smoke that seems to be from the meatiness(like the wafting of cooking on the BBQ). Deep Ruby color. Kind of think this is a bit of a hidden gem. Some subtle white pepper comes through. Raspberry fruit shows as does some blue. So hard to say if it should be drank now as it is so good, but I do see it getting even better. I will be on the look out for this as I picked this up recently for under $30.

6/7/2009 - SPK wrote:

Opened up the bottle and had a bit of a funk to the nose, so had one small taste to gauge and let decant for an hour. Came back to it and the funk had calmed down, but not gone.( I am thinking some percentage or more of the whole cluster is dominating the nose) Upon the first taste after decant, Deep blakcberry with hints of blueberry. Good silky mouth feel, but it seemed somewhat one demensional(not bad, but not a lot of layers in it, yet.) okay finish, but some heat was there. On day two, pretty much the same. Usually, I have higher expectations on day two, especially for a petit. While it was better on day two, specifically the finish and heat had toned down(although it was not that dominant on day one, but it was there) I do not see this peeking anymore than it has. I nice wine, but will probably stay where it is with only subte changes.

5/29/2009 - SPK wrote:

Opened this up as the Laker game started. Nice deep ruby color. Nose of smoke and meat. On first taste more game and blood with a dose of dark fruit. Leads way to a strong deep berry. Nice long finish. The 15% alchohol peeks through a tad bit on the finish, but not for long.

5/23/2009 - SPK wrote:

Deep, dark color when poured. Upon first taste blue and black with a jammy feel, but not over done. Some plum on a long finish. A meaty flesh is in the layers, but just balanced as a bad boy. Very enjoyalbe to drink.

5/17/2009 - SPK wrote:

Nice rich fruit on the nose. Balanced with good acidity. medium tannins dark cherry on first taste. Very good wine. This is my last bottle and it is drinking well right now. It seems structured enought to last a bit longer, but it is expressing itself very well as a drink now wine, no need to wait when all the components are there. nice finish with good layers.

4/26/2009 - SPK wrote:

Flawed

4/5/2009 - SPK wrote:

Upon opening good nose of dark cherry. Upon first taste good balance and more fruit with some tartness. Very good within the first hour. Nice long balanced finish. Thinking on day two that the balance and eloquence of the wine will show even more and I was not dissappointed. Getting some good cherrry a hint of strawberry and some mineral all in a classy style that takes you away. If you can get a bottle or two, do so.

10/15/2008 - SPK wrote:

Bright red fuit, cherry with a nice balance.(Might be tart or sour for some, but not me) This wine will be drinkable later, but man did I like it now. I found this wine enjoyable. I look forward to tracking its development and tasting it along the way.

4/12/2008 - SPK wrote:

Nice nose of cherry and fruit. Tasted one ounce right after opening and got more cherry, but some tartness. Gave it a few hours of air and it started to open up very nicely. Saved half the bottle for the second day and got some nice herb, fruit and the right amount of tart. Medium body, good balance. Can drink now with some air or save. I know I have one bottle left and will revisit this.

4/11/2008 - SPK wrote:

I wasn't sure what to make of this wine at first. Did not get the nice flavor that I am used to getting. It wasn't a bad flavor just different. I think there seemed to be a lot of tartness to it. Even after letting half the bottle sit over night it did not seem to tone down much. Still got great fruit, but it seemed a little like a tart candy on the finish.

3/26/2008 - SPK wrote:

Upon first opening it is was hard for me to get all the flavor separate from each other(this was the case for the 2005 for me as well). Of course I got lavender, floral, and blueberries. With a few hours of decanting the components really started to show their character. On the second night this wine opened up extremely nice with blueberry waffle, white flowers, pepper. Nice long after flavors of cola, caramel and fruit through out. And just superbly balanced and complex.

3/17/2008 - SPK wrote:

First off this wine took a long time to open up. Even after three hours of decant I could still taste the youth in it. It might just be me, but I am finding the 2004s and 2005s need a lot of air. But then again they are young. As for the color, a nice deep dark, purple to an almost inky black. The nose is full of fruit cherry, and berry, with some spice, even thought I got some plum on the nose(wasn't sure though). Upon tasting lots of heavy thick dark fruit flavor which lasts awhile. Just a great solid thick-bodied bottle. I finished the second half of the bottle one night later and I still needed to give it some air, but after another hour, man this bottle started rock. The youthfulness was making way for the flavors to show their stuff. If you have a few bottles of this, you could try one now, but I would decant a long, long time. It would be worth it. If you only have one, I would wait, as this is going to be a solid bottle as it gets older. Thanks to all(Terence, Yoni, and Loren) that gave input on the BB that I try this one.

3/5/2008 - SPK wrote:

Well on the nose and first taste I can say this wine has got game. Also on the nose there is spice. Followed by pepper and fruit. Yes, there is a youngness to it. but, this wine has my attention. The smoke on it is like the meat cooking. And after all is said and done there is bacon and more berry.

3/3/2008 - SPK wrote:

On the nose there is fruit(blackberry,raspberry) and charcoal with a hint of bacon fat. Deep purple in color. Upon tasting it is full bodied with some smokiness appearing. Appears that it will be drinking well for a lot of years.

3/1/2008 - SPK wrote:

On the nose are violets and cherry, and just a very slight hint of tobacco. Upon the first taste, it is silky and more cherry, maybe even some candied cherry, but not overdone. Very drinkable right after opening, I expected it to be a little young. Also get some oak. On the finish there is a spice with a balance throughout. Very nice and smooth.

2/20/2008 - SPK wrote:

Nice deep purple color. I get berries and game on the nose with a hint of spice. Upon tasting there was raspberry, blackberry, and smooth. Pepper and figs. The finish is meaty and long. I really started to pick up the flavors on the finish after about an hour of air.

2/16/2008 - SPK wrote:

Inky purple color. Sweet dark fruit on the nose. Vanilla and berry upon tasting. very smooth

2/11/2008 - SPK wrote:

Wow, I really liked this. You definitely have to be patient and let it open up with some air, but it is well worth the wait. I tried one once right as I opened it to gauge myself. Give it 2 hours. I gave one glass 24 hours and it really showed some fruit, especially plum. There were dark berries and a nice dark purple color. If you are patient and can let some air get to it, then I would try it now for sure. After that, get a few bottles to put away in the old cellar as well. I am sure you will not regret doing both choices.