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Shiraz & Syrah Wine Tasting Notes
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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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1997 Seven Peaks Central Coast Cabernet 69% Shiraz 31% $20.00 Score: 90.0 "Rich blackberry and aromatic dried marjorum, full bodied, moderate tannin. A supple with dark berry fruit and superb balance. A winery to watch." |
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1998 Beringer Vineyards Founders Estate California Shiraz $11.00 Score: 84.0 "Velvety smooth, juicy, ripe black plum character, just a hint of cocoa, medium-bodied, with very soft tannin. Totally accessible right now. Good spaghetti wine." |
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1999 Heritage Road Reserve Old Mundalla Vineyard Limestone Coast Australia Shiraz $18.00 Score: 84.0 "Plum, pepper, salt, soft tannin, and full body, with a tart finish. " |
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1997 Geyser Peak Sonoma County Shiraz Reserve Score: 88.0 "Big prune, pepper, tobacco leaf and nutmeg aromas that follow through to the palate with moderate tannin and classical structure. Pair with beef, lamb and tomato sauces." |
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1998 Geyser Peak Sonoma County Shiraz Score: 89.0 "Dry, aromatic berry and vanilla, supple on the palate with the addition of a light green olive note, and well-integrated tannin." |
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1998 Seven Peaks Paso Robles Shiraz $15.00 Score: 90.0 "Ripe, peppery, plummy fruit on the nose, spicy on the mid-palate, with a fruity and spice finish of good length. Intense, powerful and full-bodied, this is one of the best Syrahs (Shirazs) in California. When I tasted this blind, I was sure it was from Australia. " |
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1997 Penfolds RWT Barossa Valley Australia Shiraz $65.00 Score: 92.0 "A great Shiraz from the get-go. The nose is expansive and deep, with layers of subtle complexity: plums, leather, perfectly integrated oak, and best of all, its all in balance. A great wine now, it will only improve over the next decade. " |
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1999 McPherson South Eastern Australia Shiraz $8.00 Score: 86.0 "Raspberry-cherry fruit laced with black pepper notes in the nose, while on the palate it has dry, cherry pie fruit, light tannin and excellent balance. Fine value." |
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1999 McPherson South Eastern Australia Shiraz Cabernet $8.00 Score: 87.0 "The Shiraz holds the dominant position here, sweet, deep cherry pie fruit on the nose; dry cherry pie fruit on the palate, firm structure, well integrated tanin, silky texture and a moderately fruity finish. Good value." |
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1997 Stags Leap Napa Valley Petite Syrah $30.00 Score: 89.0 "A big, powerful Petite Syrah that takes a its cue from Cote Rotie by blending in a little Viognier to give the nose more aromatics. The Stags Leap is a mouthfilling wine with chewy tannins and deep, chocolatey, blackberry fruit and a touch of vanilla and toast. While drinkable now, it will certainly be better in another three to five years." |
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1999 R.H. Phillips EXP Dunnigan Hills Syrah Score: 87.0 "Caresses the senses with a deep, toasted plum character, fully integrated oak and a silky smooth texture. Super fruity finish." |
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1998 Sobon Estate Shenandoah Valley of California Syrah $15.00 Score: 88.0 "Sobon has taken an interesting approach here, blending in 6% Viognier (a practice borrowed from Cote Rotie), and 8% Grenache (a la southern Rhone wines). It has classic plum and blueberry fruit, firm tannins and crisp acidity, as well as good aromatics and a long finish. Good now, it should improve over the next five years or more. Serve with beef or veal." |
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