Lovely and still in great shape after 8 years (I was a bit worried). 2013 is one of my favourite vintage for this Syrah. Meaty, leathery aromas mixed with black pepper...blind, I would have ended up in Northern Rhone in Cornas. The tannins are still present, but still providing a nice polished structure and a refreshing acidity. Balanced with a long finish. Great QPR. Enjoy now or hold for another 2-3 years without any problem.
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Had fully blind with a 13 Shafer Relentless and a 13 L'Ecole Syrah.
Very bright and lively wine - medium bodied - we thought it was a Carmenere, we got lost in Chile and never thought BC. The nose had an earthiness to it that also reminded us of Cabernet Franc's - but it definitely did not taste Cab Franc. It was refreshing, very drinkable and the type of wine you would enjoy multiple glasses of - whereas the Relentless was a stop at one glass, or have a big headache the next morning type of wine.
The BH Syrah was comparatively very green next to the Relentless and L'Ecole. The L'Ecole had a mild nose, but was packed with alcohol that took way too long to dissipate, and never fully did throughout the night. The Relentless had more barnyard and softer nose, and syrupy mouthfeel. We all picked the Relentless as our favourite - but it has egregiously low QPR and was comparatively not that much better than either the BH or L'Ecole.
Opened beautifully over an hour or so. Cherries smoke and sage tones. Smooth tannins. Delightful finish with peppery touch. Lovely wine, my last of this vintage.
In its drinking window. Medium to full bodied, mellow tannins, rich flavour - a delightful Syrah. Makes me wonder what they did differently to their 2017 vintage which I find tough to drink. The 2013 Nota Bene is also one of my favourites so maybe 2013 was just a special vintage.
Gorgeous colour. Nose of cedar, anise, tobacco leaf, blueberry compote, black fruits, salami. Harmonious balance of acidity and tannin, huge peppery finish. I opened this and drank half on a Thursday night and finished the rest on Saturday and it was massive. I'd recommend opening this the day before you plan to drink it. It'll be rewarding. In my top ten BC wines.
Age has treated this wine extraordinarily well. The fruit has come together nicely, very rich and, just delicious. Patience has paid off. Enjoy if you have any left!
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My last bottle of the 2013 Black Hills Syrah. It is a stunning wine and drinking really well now. On the nose, abundance of raspberries, blackberries and blueberries with hints of spice. On the palate, it's full bodied with raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, leather, chocolate, spices, and hints of vanilla, followed in mid-palate with dominating white peppery notes that fills the mouth and this peppery flavor hangs around in the long finish. This is a well balanced interesting wine that offers structure and complexities. I wish I have another case of this wine....
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Absolutely beautiful! Very expressive right now, with leather, spices and barnyard aromas. Perfectly balanced and fresh, this will continue to age very well for at least a few more years.
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Absolutely stunning and even an excellent QPR in 2013. Very aromatic with new leather, iodine snd spices on the nose and palate. Refreshing acidity; it's not hard to go through a bottle for two people:). Long finish as well. Drink or hold for 3-4 years...maybe more, who knows.
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I must say that 2013 has produced really good Syrah in the Okanagan. This is the best Syrah Black Hills Estate has ever produced. Perfectly balanced, with leather, black berries and white pepper. This is lovely with a steak. Decanted for about 1.5-2 hours, this is drinking very nicely now, but can be cellared for a few more years without any problems.
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Clear dark purple rim and medium + ruby core, legs stain and wine stains the glass. Clean nose, dark berry with subtle black pepper. Palate is has white pepper, blackberry and currant, med + acidity, med tannin and balanced. Med alcohol and developing. Great now and as before, wow with a few years in the cellar it's going to get interesting.
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30 mins decant. Tasted vs 2013 Painted Rock Syrah. No details notes. Nice dark fruits, throw in some meat, med+ body, med tannin. Probably hasn't quite open up before we finished it.... nice wine, would like to try again sometime. Personal preference was Painted Rock Syrah
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Clear dark purple rim and medium + ruby core, legs stain and wine stains the glass. Clean nose, dark berry with subtle black pepper. Palate is has white pepper, blackberry and currant, med + acidity, med tannin and balanced. Med alcohol and developing. Great now but wow with a few years in the cellar it's going to get interesting.
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7/6/2021 - Francois Le Mouel Likes this wine: 92 Points
Lovely and still in great shape after 8 years (I was a bit worried). 2013 is one of my favourite vintage for this Syrah. Meaty, leathery aromas mixed with black pepper...blind, I would have ended up in Northern Rhone in Cornas. The tannins are still present, but still providing a nice polished structure and a refreshing acidity. Balanced with a long finish. Great QPR. Enjoy now or hold for another 2-3 years without any problem.
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7/3/2021 - Vino Loco Likes this wine: 90 Points
Had fully blind with a 13 Shafer Relentless and a 13 L'Ecole Syrah.
Very bright and lively wine - medium bodied - we thought it was a Carmenere, we got lost in Chile and never thought BC. The nose had an earthiness to it that also reminded us of Cabernet Franc's - but it definitely did not taste Cab Franc. It was refreshing, very drinkable and the type of wine you would enjoy multiple glasses of - whereas the Relentless was a stop at one glass, or have a big headache the next morning type of wine.
The BH Syrah was comparatively very green next to the Relentless and L'Ecole. The L'Ecole had a mild nose, but was packed with alcohol that took way too long to dissipate, and never fully did throughout the night. The Relentless had more barnyard and softer nose, and syrupy mouthfeel. We all picked the Relentless as our favourite - but it has egregiously low QPR and was comparatively not that much better than either the BH or L'Ecole.
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5/30/2021 - nanoose wrote:
Opened beautifully over an hour or so. Cherries smoke and sage tones. Smooth tannins. Delightful finish with peppery touch. Lovely wine, my last of this vintage.
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4/1/2021 - Vino Loco Likes this wine: 90 Points
In its drinking window. Medium to full bodied, mellow tannins, rich flavour - a delightful Syrah. Makes me wonder what they did differently to their 2017 vintage which I find tough to drink. The 2013 Nota Bene is also one of my favourites so maybe 2013 was just a special vintage.
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11/26/2020 - darrenv Likes this wine: 93 Points
Gorgeous colour. Nose of cedar, anise, tobacco leaf, blueberry compote, black fruits, salami.
Harmonious balance of acidity and tannin, huge peppery finish.
I opened this and drank half on a Thursday night and finished the rest on Saturday and it was massive. I'd recommend opening this the day before you plan to drink it. It'll be rewarding. In my top ten BC wines.
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9/19/2020 - nanoose wrote:
Still drinking well lovely
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5/14/2020 - Vino Loco Likes this wine: 91 Points
Age has treated this wine extraordinarily well. The fruit has come together nicely, very rich and, just delicious. Patience has paid off. Enjoy if you have any left!
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4/20/2020 - BcDuncan Likes this wine: 90 Points
very smooth on the entry and great smooth finish; very good
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11/30/2019 - nanoose wrote:
Working through a case of this and it never disappoints. PNP no prob and wonderful the next day
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11/24/2019 - nanoose wrote:
Drinking well
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7/14/2019 - danellew Likes this wine: 93 Points
Decanted 30 mins. Smooth tannins, lots of dark fruit. Delicious.
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3/31/2019 - dilbert64 Likes this wine: 93 Points
My last bottle of the 2013 Black Hills Syrah. It is a stunning wine and drinking really well now. On the nose, abundance of raspberries, blackberries and blueberries with hints of spice. On the palate, it's full bodied with raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, leather, chocolate, spices, and hints of vanilla, followed in mid-palate with dominating white peppery notes that fills the mouth and this peppery flavor hangs around in the long finish. This is a well balanced interesting wine that offers structure and complexities. I wish I have another case of this wine....
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2/25/2019 - RARevino Likes this wine: 89 Points
black hills syrah. great drinking wine. never disappointed
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7/24/2017 - Francois Le Mouel Likes this wine: 92 Points
Absolutely beautiful! Very expressive right now, with leather, spices and barnyard aromas. Perfectly balanced and fresh, this will continue to age very well for at least a few more years.
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7/11/2017 - Francois Le Mouel wrote: 93 Points
Absolutely stunning and even an excellent QPR in 2013. Very aromatic with new leather, iodine snd spices on the nose and palate. Refreshing acidity; it's not hard to go through a bottle for two people:). Long finish as well. Drink or hold for 3-4 years...maybe more, who knows.
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4/30/2017 - Francois Le Mouel Likes this wine: 91 Points
I must say that 2013 has produced really good Syrah in the Okanagan. This is the best Syrah Black Hills Estate has ever produced. Perfectly balanced, with leather, black berries and white pepper. This is lovely with a steak. Decanted for about 1.5-2 hours, this is drinking very nicely now, but can be cellared for a few more years without any problems.
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10/20/2016 - pandi Likes this wine: 91 Points
Really good right now. We just had our first bottle.
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10/5/2016 - chatters wrote:
Six nations tasting (49 King Street Wharf): Perfumed and peppery with red over black fruit…juicy, long, savoury fruit, spice, balanced…Rather nice
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6/5/2016 - Cellar Hand Likes this wine: 92 Points
Clear dark purple rim and medium + ruby core, legs stain and wine stains the glass. Clean nose, dark berry with subtle black pepper. Palate is has white pepper, blackberry and currant, med + acidity, med tannin and balanced. Med alcohol and developing. Great now and as before, wow with a few years in the cellar it's going to get interesting.
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1/16/2016 - bboard wrote:
30 mins decant. Tasted vs 2013 Painted Rock Syrah. No details notes.
Nice dark fruits, throw in some meat, med+ body, med tannin. Probably hasn't quite open up before we finished it.... nice wine, would like to try again sometime. Personal preference was Painted Rock Syrah
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11/28/2015 - Francois Le Mouel Likes this wine: 93 Points
Once again, meaty, peppery and fruity. Fresh and complex on the palate, I'm a big big fan of this wine.
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11/12/2015 - Francois Le Mouel Likes this wine: 93 Points
What a fun wine! Juicy, meaty and spicy (black and white pepper). Palate is intense and complex. Drink now or hold for at least 5 years.
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11/11/2015 - Cellar Hand Likes this wine: 92 Points
Clear dark purple rim and medium + ruby core, legs stain and wine stains the glass. Clean nose, dark berry with subtle black pepper. Palate is has white pepper, blackberry and currant, med + acidity, med tannin and balanced. Med alcohol and developing. Great now but wow with a few years in the cellar it's going to get interesting.
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