Classic bacon notes initially. It streamlined after 45 minutes, becoming leaner and exhibiting more tart currant notes. Was still drinking well the next day, after it had been forgotten uncorked.
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Decanted approx. 1 hour ... Opaque crimson in color. Nose is fresh berries with a mineral hint. Palate opens with strawberries and blackberries, with a hint of spice, and a big hit of game, deepening into earth and rocks. Tannins are very firm, with nice acidic balance. Lots of life left here and undeniably well done, but a very poor QPR at the $50+ price point. Plenty of similarly good California single-vineyard Syrah's out there for half the price. Continue to love Biale's wines, but they've mostly priced themselves out of my market, sadly.
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A bold nose of dark fruits and spice, dark black purple in color. A big full bodied single vineyard Syrah, with blackberry, currants, dark chocolate and layers of favors, long finish. www.winelx.com
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What a well-tamed monster of a wine! Grown on the Sonoma side of the Mayacamas Mountains, this shows firm mountain tannins with notes of licorice and sage, and silky elegance. Right upon opening this could have easily been mistaken for a Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend. Between 30-60 minutes after opening it was at its most extroverted, with more plush, delicious tannins [90]. Four hours later in the decanter, it started developing notes of blackberry liquor and strong licorice, resembling a Parker-style Rhone-blend (the 2009 Puech-Haut Cuvée Prestige comes to mind) [92]. The next day it became more streamlined, with violets and blackberry jam on the nose, blackberry and olallieberries on the palate, no bitterness, and excellent concentration [93]. 14.9% ABV, but little discernible heat throughout. 92-93
Over powered by tannins. Odd to say, but the perhaps excellent flavor was barricaded by a strong tannin sensation and a bitterness. 2007 is way better!
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2/20/2017 - Sugarb Likes this wine: 92 Points
Really drinking well right now. Spice is a little subdued but body of wine remains. Deep purple color.
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12/23/2016 - joraesque wrote: 90 Points
Classic bacon notes initially. It streamlined after 45 minutes, becoming leaner and exhibiting more tart currant notes. Was still drinking well the next day, after it had been forgotten uncorked.
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3/25/2015 - ebert Likes this wine: 91 Points
Very nice, rich syrah with good complexity, deep fruit, nice minerality and a clean, smooth finish.
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1/31/2015 - markandsusanw Likes this wine: 91 Points
Decanted approx. 1 hour ... Opaque crimson in color. Nose is fresh berries with a mineral hint. Palate opens with strawberries and blackberries, with a hint of spice, and a big hit of game, deepening into earth and rocks. Tannins are very firm, with nice acidic balance. Lots of life left here and undeniably well done, but a very poor QPR at the $50+ price point. Plenty of similarly good California single-vineyard Syrah's out there for half the price. Continue to love Biale's wines, but they've mostly priced themselves out of my market, sadly.
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12/23/2013 - Jlhoward wrote: 93 Points
Phenomenal!!!
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5/21/2013 - corkscrews Likes this wine: 92 Points
A bold nose of dark fruits and spice, dark black purple in color. A big full bodied single vineyard Syrah, with blackberry, currants, dark chocolate and layers of favors, long finish. www.winelx.com
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12/29/2012 - joraesque Likes this wine: 93 Points
What a well-tamed monster of a wine! Grown on the Sonoma side of the Mayacamas Mountains, this shows firm mountain tannins with notes of licorice and sage, and silky elegance. Right upon opening this could have easily been mistaken for a Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend. Between 30-60 minutes after opening it was at its most extroverted, with more plush, delicious tannins [90]. Four hours later in the decanter, it started developing notes of blackberry liquor and strong licorice, resembling a Parker-style Rhone-blend (the 2009 Puech-Haut Cuvée Prestige comes to mind) [92]. The next day it became more streamlined, with violets and blackberry jam on the nose, blackberry and olallieberries on the palate, no bitterness, and excellent concentration [93]. 14.9% ABV, but little discernible heat throughout. 92-93
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10/20/2012 - oeno1820 wrote: 89 Points
Over powered by tannins. Odd to say, but the perhaps excellent flavor was barricaded by a strong tannin sensation and a bitterness. 2007 is way better!
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