RJonWine.com

• By Richard Jennings
  6/14/2011 (link) 92 points

  (Lyrique Syrah Watch Hill Vineyard) Opaque purple red violet color; sweet, green herb, black fruit, creosote nose; tasty. lifted, poised, ripe black fruit, creosote, sweet green herb, clove palate with balance; medium-plus finish

Garagiste

• By Jon Rimmerman
  8/8/2008 (link)

  (LYRIQUE Syrah Santa Barbara) Syrah Redux Dear Friends, Passion is a powerful thing and this wine created a stream of passion from a large contingent of our email list. The first time we offered it, we almost had to close down the next day to complete all of the invoices (seriously, I'm not just saying that to toss you some kind of marketing line). I've been waiting on this one for what seems like months (maybe since we first offered it last December) but I finally received the call this morning and I have another allocation. In truth, I never anticipated the response to the original offer or I would have planned better the first time - I thought it would be popular but not as popular as it was (I don't remember the word "free" in the price but the response made it appear that we were giving it away for nothing). Since January, we've received a disproportionate number of re-order requests for this wine, but I couldn't create more out of thin air (sometimes I wish I could). So, I waited. Here is the result: our Holiday Special price was a one-time thing. I've been "ordered" to raise the price and I need to oblige the winery (not to mention, our price was below cost). So, instead of last year's price) I am going to raise it - a painful increase, but I think most of you will be laughing all the way to the reply button... One of the deals of 2007 returns as one of the deals of 2008. For the price, this boutique-level California Syrah speaks for itself. This is indeed a large-scaled wine but give it time in the cellar and you should be justly rewarded. The wine is just too primary for me right now (many of you may actually like this stage) but time is certainly on its side - I left a bottle open for a week in April and it didn't start to evolve for 4-5 days. A crazy buy (again) for California. (The original offer is below) 2005 Lyrique Santa Barbara County Syrah (Watch Hill) Thank you - Jon Rimmerman ******************************* (original offer from last year) Holiday Syrah Special Dear Friends, Many have tried to be the next SQN and most have failed - this may be the one. Without saying anything further, I'm pretty sure this will be one of the biggest selling wines we've offered this year as it combines so many of the elements most of you are looking for including a terrific price. There's a lot of chatter about this winery from tasters as well as top retailers around the US as Lyrique is trying to do something at the highest level with the consumer in mind and not just their wallet. Instead of coming out at $75-125 to compete head-on with SQN, they've come out at $35-45 (I'm making a concession on the price so you will try it, as I think this is an important new source). Most of you know I sift through dozens of would-be Central Coast and California "high aspiration" wines every month and usually decide to pass on all of them - just too much sugar, oak, alcohol and extract which is not my cup of tea. In many cases, the varietal tone is obliterated (whether it's Cabernet, Syrah or other) and I just don't see the point? What is so interesting is that this wine has all of those attributes above yet it combines them with a deft purpose and overall symmetry and balance (not to mention one of the most perfumed, spice-laden aromatics you will come across in California wine). The Lyrique actually has the intrigue of SQN and that alone should propel this new winery to the forefront of the curiosity list. The winery's motto pretty much says it all: "Lyrique is a family owned company dedicated to fine wine, great music, and good friends". Lyrique is the result of a vision to make the finest Syrah in the United States - to take what the climate provides (impact with high sugar and extract ratios) and to allow the wine to express itself without over-doing any one element (in a similar way to 2004/2005 Mount Langi Blue Label). They only make one wine at Lyrique (this one) and the fruit is from a superb little source in the Watch Hill vineyard. The result of this first release was so successful they've gone to the trouble of commissioning Susan Dysinger to produce a one-off print for the label (entitled "Speckled Red") to make it extra-special. The 2005 Lyrique is full of electricity, excitement, and eurhythmic structure (not Annie Lenox, the actual word) and it intrigues from the first sniff. Believe me, I was skeptical about this as my snobby anti-California reputation was at stake but I just couldn't help being seduced by its cashmere charms. The above referenced spice-toned aromatics grab the taster with a pure, bright red varietal nature that is not the norm in Syrah from this area. While certainly extracted and large-scaled, it is also refined, promising and discreet as only the best wines are. Charles Atlas meets Twiggy? In the best sense of course. From the Winery: "Lyrique has a wonderful, velvety mouthfeel. It has the blackberry and cassis fruitiness characteristic of Syrah, with a hint of dark chocolate, espresso and a long white pepper finish. This is a smooth, concentrated wine that has the chops to balance out the oak and alcohol" - I couldn't have said it better. If you are into California Syrah, this is another offer to stock up on as the price is as improbable as the wine's quality. You are also supporting a worthy family-owned cause and the people behind the label are as concerned about your satisfaction as they are about the wine itself. With only 300-400 cases produced of this wine, if you are buying wine like Pax, Area or Alban, I strongly urge you to give this a try at a fraction of the cost (the only caveat is that our price is only available today until we run out). VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for outstanding quality and one of the very best values in California Syrah on the market. This parcel has impeccable provenance directly form the winery cellar. 2005 Lyrique Syrah Santa Barbara County (Watch Hill) - SOLD OUT Thank you, Jon Rimmerman Garagiste Seattle, WA CA7990

RJonWine.com

• By Richard Jennings
  6/1/2008 (link) 89 points

  (Lyrique Syrah Watch Hill Vineyard) Purplish dark red violet color; chocolate, berry and caramel nose; berry, raspberry syrup and chocolate palate, with low acidity, okay but boring; medium finish