Community Tasting Notes 7

• dlstrauss wrote: 91 points

  August 29, 2014 - Same as prior note. Needs abundant air before it opens.

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• dlstrauss wrote: 91 points

  November 28, 2013 - Not as good as the sampling at Schneider's in DC. Needs time to open, at least an hour. But then shined. Didn't do well on day 2.

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• ericindc wrote: 91 points

  May 16, 2012 - Better than last tasting. Great juice. Very old-world syrah style. Without a doubt the single best American syrah I have ever had. It was really amazingly complex with nice black fruit, with earth, light tar and meat notes. Exceedingly smooth and easy drinking. Still could be great in a few years or drink now.

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• Why Yes wrote: 96 points

  April 3, 2012 - 100% Syrah. Tasted at San Diego Family Winemakers event. First time tasting at an this event and was surprised by how many 'good' wines were being poured there. Not surprised by how few 'great' wines were being poured there. This was 1 of the 2 'great' wines I tasted that day.
  
  I sought this table out due to a bottle of their Happenstance I loved a few months ago and was not disappointed. All the wines were great (keep your eye out for their rose), but this was just unbelievable.
  
  Makes an immediate impression with its color in the glass. A vibrant, almost electric ruby. Not purple. Completely opaque and upon swirling just creeps down the sides of the glass with its viscosity. On the nose there is an amazing concentration that is almost Hermitage-like with aromas of tar, beef blood, asphalt, worn leather and dry,black earth. With more swirling brambly, black fruit begins to show itself deep in the mix along with accents of cinnamon stick, mocha and bittersweet chocolate. Once in the mouth, the only word that came to my mind was POWER. Holy cow did they stuff everything AND the kitchen sink in this wine. Gobs of black fruits, iron and asphalt with distinct notes of lavender, eucalyptus, menthol (the last 3 apparently attributed to the terroir of the vineyard). I was told that this was raised in 100% new oak, and almost couldn't believe it.
  
  The winemaker said this wine will show its best stuff in years to come or with plenty of aeration. The bottle I tasted was popped and poured in front of me, and was already showing incredibly well, but the tannins will probably benefit from a few years in the cellar.
  
  The other great wine I tasted that day was the 2008 Westerhold Reserve (which I had never heard of) also from Bennett Valley that the folks from the argot table turned me on to.
  
  I, for one, am going to be keeping my eye on this project. Bravo!

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• ericindc wrote: 90 points

  February 29, 2012 - Tasted at a tasting. Big, very closed nose. Think this needs a few more years. Relatively smooth. I tasted this blind, I would not have guessed Syrah. Moderate fruit, black plum, blackberry, and dried plum, touch of spice, fine tannins, but big. Good acidity.

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Pro Reviews 3

Wine Definition

• Vintage 2008
• Type Red
• Producer Argot
• Varietal Syrah
• Designation Opening Salvo
• Vineyard n/a
• Country USA
• Region California
• SubRegion Sonoma County
• Appellation Bennett Valley

Community Holdings

• Pending Delivery 0 (0%)
• In Cellars 7 (39%)
• Consumed 11 (61%)

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