October 3, 2019 - Intense nose of dark cherry, strawberry and even cranberry. A touch of candied fruit on palate. While blind group started with the assumption that it was a Northern Rhone, there was split with half calling it a ripe year Burgundy. Not the most complex, but still going strong. No hurry to drink up. 12% stated alcohol.
August 7, 2017 - Enjoyable, funky Syrah. At first I perceived a bit of VA but it dissipated. To me this tasted like a Syrah made in a beaujolais style, which enjoyed. The wine was holding up for its age and style. I would not have guessed this was a syrah. B
September 8, 2014 - This is a tremendous value at under 20 dollars a bottle. I can't think of a better value in a Syrah. Overall, it is in a great place -- shows very well and no need to wait on these. Savage and meaty aromatics. I think it shows some of the ripeness of the vintage -- but balanced and beautiful -- dark blue fruit, olive and bacon. Lush and velvety -- really delivers well above the price point. Sadly, this is the last of my 2007s.
April 3, 2012 - What a difference a few years make. I had this wine a couple years back and remember it being an utter flop: unstructured, tart, and stemmy. The reason I had a second bottle left is because I've half-feared opening it up ever since the first one. Now, though? It has a touch of its earlier funk, but it's resolved into something really clear and expressive: blackberries and bacon and Butterschmalz and olives. (There are hints of something floral about 30-45 minutes in, but mostly it's darker and danker than that; also, at one point, the stemminess returned -- no longer unpleasant, it almost suggested some Cab Franc had been thrown into the mix.)
July 9, 2011 - This has developed nicely with another 2 years of bottle age, now showing a well balanced profile of streamlined black fruit, bloody meat and fresh cracked black pepper. Delicious stuff and an incredible value.
March 4, 2011 - Black fruit and pepper on the nose with some meatiness. Palate is fresh and vibrant with more pepper, slim jim tones, and violets. Nice wine that's drinking well.
November 29, 2010 - Aromas of black fruits with a hint of rubber. Absolutely lovely palate of blackberries, rhubarb, among other things, and with an underlying funkiness. Cherry and licorice notes appear in the lingering finish. Focused, balanced. A delightful wine at a fantastic price. Wish I'd bought more.
Based on the earlier experience of others, I opened this an hour ahead of time. Time has apparently done its job, this was great the minute it was popped open.
February 3, 2010 - pure nose of blackberries, bacon fat and tapenade.really nice.great mouthfeel.a really stunning wine.I believe it gained in concentration since last june.
January 23, 2010 - Great value in old world syrah. Light on its feet, but is packed with minerailty, funk, fruit and acidity.
October 28, 2009 - Pure, mineral driven expression of syrah. Cool blue-black fruit on a taut frame, with an interesting bitter note (asphalt?) on the finish. Definitely fills out with air and was rounder and more fruit driven on day 2. Well made and an excellent value, but definitely for the geeks among us . . .