August 11, 2015 - Pulling out an old one from the cellar, this wine is still showing some legs. Maybe not as powerful as it once was, it still has a fair amount of fruit still on the palate and is not falling apart in any way as I drink it. Definitely shows its age on the nose but it lingers for probably 20-30 seconds on the palate and evolves. Pretty happy with this wine and not reading my previous review before drinking this one has it spot on. It might last another year or two (or potentially much longer with how good it is) but I wouldn't try to push it if you have any left in your cellar. I doubt it will get better so I'd be more willing to drink now and enjoy it vs missing the window.
October 28, 2012 - Still full of fruit. I got mostly black and blueberries. Finish was long and slightly tart. Great for he price and seems to have plenty of life left in it. Color is dark purple with a black core.
October 19, 2012 - Decent. Very closed. Took a bit in a decanter before the wine opened up.
October 5, 2012 - McClean Syrah 2003
Noted at 1hr
Color: dark dark red (not purple)
Nose: he says: roast pork with cherry compote. She says dates, stuffed with cheese and wrapped with honeyed bacon. He agrees but with not much smoke on the bacon. The nose is persistent and reasonably strong.
Palate: very ripe plum, baking spices, a bit of black cherry, racy acidity. She says: it is like those but it is NOT as heavy as those may seem. He agrees and adds that the plum is bright and the baking spices tend to cinnamon and allspice rather than clove. The acidity is fantastic and keeps you wanting more. There is a finish that develops more and more with time. He says: Carmel mocha cream. Not heavy but very lasting. She says: it is Carmel first, a creamy feel and a touch of mocha but mainly caramel. Exceptionally long finish.
September 15, 2012 - A rich royal plum color and lite berry nose. Well developed fruits with rich berry and thick plum overlay a hint of oak.
Tannins are very mild with the alcohol heating up on the finish, building as you drink. Very nice.
June 22, 2012 - Very different than the 2005 - the 2003 was Chocolate. The 2005 was vanilla. Amazing vertical.
April 13, 2012 - This was quite delicious. I was nervous as I keep my bottles upside down and there was a thick, syrupy substance on the cork when I popped. But, that didn't show in the wine at all. It was quite rich and had definite aged colors. It was balanced, well rounded and had some cigar and tar notes. The fruits were much better formed than I had anticipated. Glad to have another bottle for a future review. Probably has another 2-3 years before it falls apart.
June 24, 2009 - I wondered whether this was corked bc I thought I detected some cardboard on the nose, but I think it was just over the hill or maybe not that great to begin with. Pass.
December 22, 2005 - Fantastic syrah, thick and chewy. Great structure. Definitely should age another couple of years.