December 21, 2012 - This is drinking great tonight. I tried it 3 or so yrs ago and wanted to dump it but I was too lazy. So I popped it along side the 2001
Renaissance Syrah. I'm glad I was so lazy. Cranberry color, not opaque. Nothing jumped out on the nose for me. Palate had enough give (it was medium+ bodied, not a foreboding dense monolith) to allow some spices and minerality thru. The fruit was really juicy! It kept me coming back for more. Decent length with medium tannin and yes just a touch of alcoholic warmth but otherwise great balance. I love the red fruit density allowing secondary flavors to emerge. Gorgeous!
December 27, 2011 - Nicely aged syrah. Somehow I liked this bottle better than the first about a year ago. More balanced, but less fruit. Finish was quick as noted before.
November 28, 2011 - At the peak, long lingering finish, very nice balance
October 9, 2010 - Nice nose of spices and berries... taste of some fruit but a lot of heat... fades quickly. Look like this bottle has peaked. 1 more to go.
April 6, 2010 - Started off with lots of earth tones (sandalwood and spices), giving way to more fruit notes the longer the wine sat in the glass. Fruit is definitely dark berries and tart cherries with back notes of vanilla and leather. Not as balanced as I would have liked; probably could stand another 1-2 years in the cellar.
January 2, 2010 - Bottle was undrinkable at first with heavy ketone smell. After airing out and then letting sit for a day wine was, at best, OK.
October 6, 2009 - sad this is the last bottle. Excellent qpr.
August 12, 2009 - Started off with lots of earth tones (sandalwood and spices), giving way to more fruit notes the longer the wine sat in the glass. Fruit is definitely dark berries and cherries with back notes of vanilla and leather. Nice (medium) finish that leaves you wanting more. Wonderful quality for the value price (I paid just under $20). **Above rating based on price-point of wine**
October 30, 2008 - Nice deep purple color, good legs; on the nose: chocolate, vanilla, dark berries, spices, some heat; explosive, medium to full bodied, very long finish, smooth, soft tannins, a little heat from high alcohol level, but not too bad, soft oak, mocha, vanilla, blackberry jam...very very good.
June 28, 2008 - Great value for the price! When I drank it, I thought it was a $30 bottle of wine and an excellent value...come to find that I paid half that for it. This wine will stand up to many more expensive shiraz's. It has balance, plenty of fruit, some complexity and excellent depth. Must find more...