This wine had a LOT going on, and drank wonderfully, although I'm not sure how much more would do for it. An evolving nose that began with fruit but went into smoke was a hint of how nice the wine would be. A salty intro, with fruit underneath, but a muscular leather saddle backbone on day 1, it evolved with air and brought out more of the fruit, but also some pleasant medicinal notes in concert with a little bit of funk, smoke, and baking spice. A lot going on here, very much for the complex palate but no less good with food - enjoyed with lamb loin chops, as well as with shawarma. Was a treat!
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Alas, this was my last bottle. I don’t think they make this wine anymore because they couldn’t give it away in the beginning, and it was a financial disaster ever since. Truly a shame because this wine is majestic. Tonight, this wine is as flamboyant as Cote Rotie at it’s best. It doesn’t have the power of great Hermitage, but what it lacks in force, it more than makes up with dexterity. Mushroom and earth combine with band-aids and bacon. Fragrant and beautiful.
Amazing. Actually better than any Syrah I’ve had from the northern Rhône in recent memory. Côte Rotie aromatics built on a Côte de Nuits frame. Herbal nose that borders on pungent fades into a savory and fruity taste.
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This is the best of the trio of 07, 08 & 09, and I liked the other two a lot. This one has every bit as much of the animalistic smokiness of past vintages but it also has a richness that the others didn’t. Hoisin, band-aids and savory herbs are the dominant characteristics right now. Sort of reminds me of a softer Hermitage, or the vinous equivalent of an Islay scotch.
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More interesting than tasty. Savory and with olives and an uplifting, floral brightness, assuming from the viognier - however the syrah fruit has a dried out and twiggy aspect that isn't so appealing to me.
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Slight bricking but still dark/inky in color. Peppery/savory on the nose, fresh and juicy on the palate. Slight hint of oak but well balanced. Really enjoyable, great to drink now
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Insane aromatics with loads of smoke, bacon, green olive and savory jerky meat. Palate is light-to-medium bodied with great, energetic light-weight fruit and fresh acids. The fruit concentration is only moderate but the intensity and complexity more than compensates. Unique stuff.
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Oregon Notes.; 8/5/2016-8/26/2016: insane wine. smoke, ripe black fruit, power, 57 months in the barrel... yeah not a typo. insanely good. had to bring one home as well.
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Another Berserker Day score. And by the way thank goodness this wasn't Pinot Noir, because I thought it was at first... This is succulent and juicy, saline, warm and inviting. Then enhanced by the acid and floral components of the Viognier. It had a little funk at first, then I just had to finish the bottle one small glass at a time. I would definitely buy this again. A nice northern Rhone style wine.
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Presented by Todd Hamina at Virginia Philip Academy, West Palm Beach, FL. Appears red treacle to black. Strong legs. Petrol, black cherry on the nose. Peppery strawberry taste with long finish. Good balance. This spent 57 months in Oregon Oak barrels. Todd says he won't make it again. Tasted with a flat iron steak nibble on brioche with a kale pesto, fig jam and red wine shallots. A bit fancy, but worked well together.
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To quote my wife, "Wow! This is different!" And yes it was! 17% Viognier is a huge addition to Syrah. Spicy floral overtones in the nose and palate. Dried cherry with a touch of black pepper from the Syrah. The red is IMO a bit rough and raw. The Viognier tempers that and makes it interesting! And quite drinkable. But not wondrful. Pretty good food wine tho.
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Decanted for a half hour then drank over three hours. When this wine gets some air the smokiness really comes out. I find this very smooth, elegant and restrained. Not what I expected from a Syrah. This got better and better as the night progressed.
A pale ruby red color when pouring from the bottle.
I really enjoyed this and would consider purchasing again.
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Seems like other tasters got the same note we did: 57 months in barrel and 17 % viognier. Medium body, smooth on the palate, cherry notes predominate, muted. Still seems quite young.
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8/3/2023 - YuriyG Likes this wine: 92 Points
This wine had a LOT going on, and drank wonderfully, although I'm not sure how much more would do for it. An evolving nose that began with fruit but went into smoke was a hint of how nice the wine would be. A salty intro, with fruit underneath, but a muscular leather saddle backbone on day 1, it evolved with air and brought out more of the fruit, but also some pleasant medicinal notes in concert with a little bit of funk, smoke, and baking spice. A lot going on here, very much for the complex palate but no less good with food - enjoyed with lamb loin chops, as well as with shawarma. Was a treat!
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5/22/2023 - DBenke wrote: 94 Points
Drinking as a Fantastic Cote Rotie. Love this wine at this stage. Bravo.
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6/10/2020 - MrOctoberfest Likes this wine: 95 Points
Alas, this was my last bottle. I don’t think they make this wine anymore because they couldn’t give it away in the beginning, and it was a financial disaster ever since. Truly a shame because this wine is majestic. Tonight, this wine is as flamboyant as Cote Rotie at it’s best. It doesn’t have the power of great Hermitage, but what it lacks in force, it more than makes up with dexterity. Mushroom and earth combine with band-aids and bacon. Fragrant and beautiful.
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3/10/2020 - MrOctoberfest Likes this wine: 94 Points
Amazing. Actually better than any Syrah I’ve had from the northern Rhône in recent memory. Côte Rotie aromatics built on a Côte de Nuits frame. Herbal nose that borders on pungent fades into a savory and fruity taste.
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11/1/2019 - MrOctoberfest Likes this wine:
This is the best of the trio of 07, 08 & 09, and I liked the other two a lot. This one has every bit as much of the animalistic smokiness of past vintages but it also has a richness that the others didn’t. Hoisin, band-aids and savory herbs are the dominant characteristics right now. Sort of reminds me of a softer Hermitage, or the vinous equivalent of an Islay scotch.
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6/29/2018 - diggydan wrote: 88 Points
More interesting than tasty. Savory and with olives and an uplifting, floral brightness, assuming from the viognier - however the syrah fruit has a dried out and twiggy aspect that isn't so appealing to me.
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12/9/2017 - heyjon Likes this wine: 88 Points
Dark cherry & ripe strawberry, molasses, caramel, earthy with spice, chewy tannins, long finish
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3/7/2017 - fred o. Likes this wine:
Slight bricking but still dark/inky in color. Peppery/savory on the nose, fresh and juicy on the palate. Slight hint of oak but well balanced. Really enjoyable, great to drink now
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12/30/2016 - Nanda wrote: 93 Points
Insane aromatics with loads of smoke, bacon, green olive and savory jerky meat. Palate is light-to-medium bodied with great, energetic light-weight fruit and fresh acids. The fruit concentration is only moderate but the intensity and complexity more than compensates. Unique stuff.
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9/29/2016 - Sourdough Likes this wine: 90 Points
Nice nose. Dry subdued fruit. Nice acidity and finish. Well short of peak.
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8/26/2016 - Mlermontov wrote: 91 Points
Oregon Notes.; 8/5/2016-8/26/2016: insane wine. smoke, ripe black fruit, power, 57 months in the barrel... yeah not a typo. insanely good. had to bring one home as well.
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2/27/2016 - Charlie Carnes Likes this wine: 91 Points
Another Berserker Day score. And by the way thank goodness this wasn't Pinot Noir, because I thought it was at first... This is succulent and juicy, saline, warm and inviting. Then enhanced by the acid and floral components of the Viognier. It had a little funk at first, then I just had to finish the bottle one small glass at a time. I would definitely buy this again. A nice northern Rhone style wine.
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11/29/2015 - Kuperman wrote: 89 Points
Overall Spicy and pretty elegant. Peppery. Black cherry. A bit of tannin on the back end. Light for a Syrah. Not fruity. We liked it.
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10/20/2015 - Planetsmith wrote: 89 Points
Presented by Todd Hamina at Virginia Philip Academy, West Palm Beach, FL.
Appears red treacle to black. Strong legs. Petrol, black cherry on the nose. Peppery strawberry taste with long finish. Good balance. This spent 57 months in Oregon Oak barrels. Todd says he won't make it again. Tasted with a flat iron steak nibble on brioche with a kale pesto, fig jam and red wine shallots. A bit fancy, but worked well together.
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6/17/2015 - Sourdough Likes this wine: 88 Points
To quote my wife, "Wow! This is different!" And yes it was! 17% Viognier is a huge addition to Syrah. Spicy floral overtones in the nose and palate. Dried cherry with a touch of black pepper from the Syrah. The red is IMO a bit rough and raw. The Viognier tempers that and makes it interesting! And quite drinkable. But not wondrful. Pretty good food wine tho.
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4/9/2015 - Neat Water Back Likes this wine:
Decanted for a half hour then drank over three hours. When this wine gets some air the smokiness really comes out. I find this very smooth, elegant and restrained. Not what I expected from a Syrah. This got better and better as the night progressed.
A pale ruby red color when pouring from the bottle.
I really enjoyed this and would consider purchasing again.
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1/2/2015 - Dulcie and Aylwin wrote:
Seems like other tasters got the same note we did: 57 months in barrel and 17 % viognier. Medium body, smooth on the palate, cherry notes predominate, muted. Still seems quite young.
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8/12/2014 - brigcampbell wrote:
Barrel sample after 57 months in barrel and two weeks before bottling. Contains 17% Viognier.
This is an amazing wine!
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