September 10, 2022 - Tannins are still there. Still has lots of dark fruit. Really nicely aged.
April 30, 2014 - Our group was split over the quality of this bottling. I thought it was a nicely rich example of Sonoma Syrah, but other thought it overripe.
The nose was smokey and meaty. Palate was medium+ with more meat and spice, but also creamy raspberry jelly. The smoky fruit persisted through a longish finish.
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February 15, 2014 - Drank in honor of Saralee's recent passing. Held up very well for 12+ year old Syrah. Stored perfectly since release from the winery. Not built to age this long but made it to the finish line with balance and grace. Another example of why Richard Arrowood is one of the finest winemakers in the history of California wine. Sweet violets on the nose with complex integrated smooth black fruits on the palate. Delicious with food.
January 26, 2013 - Oak has faded leaving blackberry and pepper. Still a fair amount of tannin. Nicely fragrant nose of dark fruit. Couple of years of life.
April 5, 2012 - This is a nice mature California Syrah. Spicy nose with ripe raspberries and a bit of pepper. Decent balance and a mature medium length finish with soft tannins. Purchased at Arrowood at release.
December 30, 2011 - ense deep purple with some ruby on the edge. Nose was slightly aged mass of organic earthiness at first then the fruit emerged after an hour. Nice blackberries and raspberry.. lots of vanillla oak ...This turned into a rather pleasant fruit forward wine with plenty of structure and balance. Medium acid and appealing finish
May 19, 2011 - Nice bouquet but a little heavy on the oak. I would like to give this another year or two and see if the fruit and oak can integrate a little better. Disappointing at this price point.
May 11, 2011 - Too creamy-oaky for me, but mostly redeemed by a strong flavor profile that includes a definite note of menthol and slightly syrupy blackberry fruit. Has a nice peppery note on the long finish that is also spicy and sweet and somehow more energetic than the nose or entry on the palate. Somehow achieves reasonable balance.
April 1, 2011 - This is an excellent syrah. The nose had some slight funk which quickly blew off. Very fleshy core of dark cherry, meat, and spice, about 20 second finish. I wish I had bought more.
December 3, 2010 - Unimpressed, way past its prime in my opinion