2005 Nicholas Cole Cellars Syrah Dauphiné Walla Walla Valley
Syrah
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Garagiste
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By Jon Rimmerman
(DAUPHINE Nicholas Cole SYRAH) Syrah Dear Friends, My, how cult wines are born overnight. This reminds me of the Sleeping Giant craze 6-7 years ago where a single bottle of Sleeping Giant once sold for even more than the comparative bottle of Screaming Eagle. Sleeping Giant was one of those rare enigmas - only made in 3-4 vintages and each was so rare that few collectors have ever seen a bottle (only 50 bottles were produced each year). I am fortunate to know the winemaker and we’ve certainly shared a bottle or two of Sleeping Giant while discussing other great Northwest folklore like Bigfoot... This wine has a chance to be the next Sleeping Giant - all based on one small mention in the recent Wine Advocate (I didn’t use the gag-reflex “next Screaming Eagle” phrase - never trust a retailer that uses that phrase - it’s too easy of a crutch). When Jay Miller penned his review for a sibling Nicholas Cole wine (the 2004 Camille), the emails started coming in. This is the scintillating 2005 estate Syrah. Only 192 cases were produced of this wine (the Dauphine) and every single bottle is already sold out (even before release), that says “cult wine” to me - whatever that means. Already profiled by our friend Paul Gregutt, this is the most difficult wine to get in Washington State at the moment and one of the most difficult to get in the US (many retailers are only getting one bottle). At 2-3 times the price of the Camille, it justifies the tarriff. This wine is not just an oak-bomb, it is far from it. The Dauphine blends old and new in a cacophony of scents, images and flavors that will make you wish you waited to open this until its ageing peak was realized (at least 6-10 years from now). If you like to be not only ahead of the curve but also like to obtain something that may ultimately be unobtainable, here is your chance... Another Sleeping Giant? ONE SHIPMENT ONLY directly from the winery cellar: 2005 Nicholas Cole Estate Syrah “Dauphine” Thank you, Jon Rimmerman Garagiste Seattle, WA WA6200
11/12/2007, (See more on Garagiste...)
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Wine Definition
- Vintage2005
- TypeRed
- ProducerNicholas Cole Cellars
- VarietySyrah
- DesignationDauphiné
- Vineyardn/a
- CountryUSA
- RegionWashington
- SubRegionColumbia Valley
- AppellationWalla Walla Valley
- Display optionsVariety and Appellation
7/13/2018 - mas746 Likes this wine: 89 Points
Still a massive wine after 13 years. The wine is dense, inky purple in the glass. The nose shows stewed plum, graphite and cedar. The wine coats the palate while still having shockingly bright acidity. Aged umami mushroom and forest floor notes mingle with the initial primary juicy plum and blackberry notes. The finish lingers with big acidity and spice. A fun wine that still has lots of life left.
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6/12/2018 - Stoth Likes this wine: 91 Points
Time has been kind here, the wine is a deep purple with minimal bricking. A youthful burst of 15.2% alcohol and dark fruits on the nose. The palate shows blueberry preserves, sweet vanilla, violets, fennel sausage, leather, tongue numbing white pepper finish.
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1/1/2018 - Magnolian Likes this wine: 92 Points
Dark purple, no bricking. Was worried I had waited too long but this is close to peak. Intense nose, decent complexity and a long finish. 15.2 % alcohol (warm year IIRC), but I did not detect it. Overpriced for sure but a very nice bottle.
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1/30/2017 - lkatz Likes this wine: 89 Points
good but not worth what i paid for it
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1/1/2015 - WAWINEFAN wrote: 91 Points
Reading what others have said about this wine is interesting. Certainly people really like it or they don't. I'm in the "I like it" camp. It is a big wine and it should be decanted. It can go the distance and probably then some. If you are lucky enough to still have some, you may want to give it some more time. We shared the bottle with friends on New Year's Eve. It was yummy.
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