May 17, 2023 - good, but for my tastes a little to bold / heavy... tho it is Syrah... I was not surprised when I saw 14.8% ABV, I can understand why others with different taste prefs might go 92 or 93, but for me not a rebuy
September 12, 2021 - Wrapped in paper and plastic and immediately recognizable as “Eisele” among friends at dinner. Held its own with some very expensive California Cabs, Lynch-Bages 2000, and Vega Unico 2006. Louis mentioned how well it went with his octopus appetizer. I have to agree on all counts: the polpo was one of the best I ever had and the wine was an unusual yet great pairing. Glad I shared the bottle for the occasion.
June 11, 2021 - Superb wine with a delicious nose upon opening. Wine was quick to open and exhibited full bodied and robust dark fruits.
October 4, 2020 - 2005 Is a year I particularly like. It has balance and while not subtle expressive fruit tannins and acid. This is the wine you want to serve while sitting on the balcony watching the sunset.
December 15, 2018 - Black fruit, cedar, leather, tobacco, eucalyptus, herbal notes, spice, Smokey oak. Tannins are still youthful and the fruit is big. Very good Syrah. A
June 22, 2018 - This was my last bottle, nicely balanced and with some light body. Drink up.
June 17, 2018 - Decanted and served. Delicate and balanced, perhaps faded. I think these need to be drunk up.
February 3, 2018 - Another Saturday at Chevalier...Mostly Blind (Chicago, IL): More earthy than the 2012 with surprisingly lean fruit, but that might be the age coming through, plus bottle had been open 4+ hours. Good+ spice, good+ weight.
February 3, 2018 - Blind Syrahs at Chevalier (Chicago, IL): Served blind. Delicious aromas of plum, black cherry, smoke and old leather. Definitely a good deal of funk, which I really like. Concentrated and rich on the palate with a nice rusticity to the fruit. Plenty of acidity and firm tannin to balance things out. This seems like Cali to me, but someone like a Thackery that brings the earth/funk. Very surprised to see this was Araujo, particularly following a more modern and oaky 2012 Araujo syrah.
January 14, 2018 - Finally starting to show its stuff. It is showing the characteristics of a cote rotie, which is should given the Viognier in the blend. VG Finish, great nose, it was much better after open for an hour.