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Shiraz & Syrah Wine Tasting Notes
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2006 Sebeka Western Cape, South Africa Shiraz $9 Score: 86.0 This one starts out with bold blackberry aromas that carry on to the palate with soft tannins. The fruit drops of rather abruptly in the finish, leaving lingering slightly bitter notes of brown spice. While it may be lacking, it's still a good value. |
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2006 Sobon Estate Amador County, Syrah $15.95 Score: 90.0 My first impression was ho hum. I put the wine aside for a day, decanted it and it opened up into a lush, expansive wine with juicy blackberry-black plum flavors. It's full bodied with soft tannins and a lingering fruity finish. Very good now, but it should be capable of ageing a decade or more if you're into older wines. Only 744 cases produced. |
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2003 Taltarni Pyrennes Victoria Australia Shiraz $20 Score: 89.0 This is a terrific Shiraz. From the nose through the finish this wine shows subtle soil and cedar notes infused with black fruits -- blackberry, cherry, plum. The tannin is firm, slightly bitter, but fairly unobtrusive if served with food. However, it is structured for long ageing and it should develop beautifully. Its stated alcohol level is 14.5%, but I don't believe it (wineries are allowed a 'fudge factor'); I suspect it's closer to 13.5%, as it comes off as balanced and lively. Rated for current drinking, it should only improve over the next 7 to 10 years. Good value. |
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2005 Ironstone Vineyards Lodi Shiraz $10 Score: 89.0 A very elegant Shiraz, not as jammy or heavy as the usual fare we see these days. It serves up black cherry fruit on a silky smooth palate, with just enough acid and tannin to give it structure and balance. The long, mouthwatering finish offers subtle but persistent spice. A terrific bargain. Drink now. 13.5% alc. |
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2003 Gravity Hills Killer Climb Paso Robles Syrah $40 Score: 87.0 Rich blackberry with a hint of basil, soft tannin, silky texture and a touch of spice through the finish. It's more vibrant than the '03 Base Camp, but the finish is a bit warm. |
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2003 Gravity Hills Base Camp Paso Robles Syrah $15 Score: 84.0 Very approachable desne blackberry fruit. The tannins are soft on the mid-palate and chewy on the finish. Nicely structured, though one dimensional. |
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2005 Sobon Estate Amador County Syrah $16 Score: 90.0 This is the best from Sobon in a long while. The blueberry and plum fruit shows licorice and classic gamey overtones, medium body, soft tannins (but firm structure), and an underlying silky texture that will come to the fore when the tannins fully resolve in another 3 to 4 years. It's a mouthfilling wine with crisp aicity and spice---perfect to accompany beef, barbecue etc. |
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Mosby Roc Michel Fremir Vineyard, Monterey County, [Syrah-Mourvedre blend], $22 Score: 89.0 This unusual non-vintage blend of Rhone varieties (Syrah and Mourvedre) is grown by Michael Mosby and vinified by Bill Mosby. The flavors span the gamut from cola to black cherry, molasses, milk chocolate and cinnamon. It's extremely well-balanced, with soft tannins and a silky mouthfeel. Only 900 cases produced. |
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2003 Brassfield Estate Winery High Valley Syrah estate bottled $30 Score: 83.0 Dense blackberry and prune, vanilla, soy and roasted meat aromas and flavors. It's dense and mouthfilling, with firm tannins. Complex, if disjointed, extracted and lacking finesse at the moment. Will it develop into a thoroughbred? Only time will tell. Give it 6 to 10 years. |
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2005 McManis Family Vineyards California Syrah $10 Score: 87.0 Dense and jammy, full bodied and velvety smooth, this flavorful wine points to plums, toasted oak and bittersweet chocolate. The soft tannins make this wine perfect for current drinking. |
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2004 Les Jamelles Vin de Pay d'Oc Syrah $9 Score: 97.0 Greatness is not conferred by reputation, but earned by achievement. Winemaker Catherine Delaunay's Syrah has no lineage, no reputation, no pretense. But she has made a great wine. Its humility comes with a lowly price, so you can experience a great wine at a give-away price of just nine dollars. This is an old-world-style wine in the best tradition - restrained, balanced, supple and complex. The nose brings to mind strawberry blossoms, raspberries, blackberries, a touch of mint and black pepper. The aromas follow through to the perfectly balanced palate, with the addition of milk chocolate and mineral notes. It's silky and the finish is unbelievably long. You can pay ten times the price for an inferior wine, or you can closely study this wine for what makes a wine truly great. Buy a case. |
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1999 Stags Leap Winery Napa Valley Syrah $25.00 Score: 88.0 "Formidable. One sniff lets you know this is serious stuff: Medium-bodied, with light tannin, bright plummy fruit, subtle oak, fine balance and excellent length, this is a wine that you can enjoy now (try it with veal or salmon), or lay it away for another 3 to 5 years. " |
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1997 R.H. Phillips Toasted Head California Cabernet Sauvignon - Syrah $17.00 Score: 88.0 "Aromatic chocolate covered cherries, medium tannin, cedar, and a tart, fruit and mineral finish of exceptional length." |
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1998 Meridian Vineyards Paso Robles Syrah $15.00 Score: 87.0 "Paso Robles has become one of the top appellations for Syrah. This one will remind many of Meridians Pinot Noir, but a little more extracted. It has lush plum and berry fruit with a background earthiness, moderate tannin, and firm structure. A good match for beef stew, spaghetti, and grilled steak." |
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1998 Wyndham Estate Bin 555 South Eastern Australia Shiraz $10.00 Score: 86.0 "Crab apple, plum and oak spice, and a hint of herb (oregano, perhaps), light tannin and decent length. Good value." |
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