2003 Cougar Crest Syrah Reserve

Community Tasting Notes (30) Avg Score: 92.1 points

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  9/27/2021 - aruddy Likes this wine:

  Drank really well, probably 3 to 5 years left for this bottle.

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  11/8/2020 - kkkkt wrote:

  Past prime time and sadly, 4 bottles remain.

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  1/20/2020 - z_willus_d wrote: 90 Points

  Years back, this was one of the first Syrah that really shined on me. I remember it as having the hugest mid-palate of any wine I'd encountered at the time. I also recall baker's spices, smokiness, and other complexities I'd scarce encountered in most of the wines that came before it. Given my enthusiasm, I purchased a case or more of this, and I now have a good reserve of these. I don't really regret it, as these were well made wines and have held up well through the years. Through the lens of experience and time, I now see this exhibits more oak influenced and "New World" mid-ought stylized qualities than my current preference in Syrah. Regardless, there's no denying that this is balanced and holding up well. The fruit is slightly less fresh than I remember and the finish dries with that oak influence, but this still has a substantial mid-palate presence with blackberry, creme de cassis, dried loganberry, and a nice acidic spine. Lots of that spice still swirling around in the mix as well. If any of these still exist, I'd suggest they are more than ready for consumption.

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  10/26/2017 - OregonLoafer wrote:

  Hard for me to score, because this is definitely a new world Syrah, and I'm used to Northern Rhone examples. To be honest, at first this was hardly recognizable as Syrah, at least when you're used to savory, meaty French examples. It's dense and fruity and over 14% alcohol, and low-ish acidity. Surprisingly young-tasting.
  
  Day 2 this was much better and had taken on some of those more classic Syrah characteristics. While I prefer wines with more structure for aging, I'd say to either give this a good decant or even another few years in the cellar to more fully develop those tertiary characteristics.

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  12/21/2014 - PDXTom wrote: 91 Points

  A nicely balanced syrah, fruit forward with black pepper and hints of chocolate and tobacco. Took some time to fully open.

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