Syrah

This is a blend of 92% Syrah, 6% Grenache, and 2% Viognier.  It has really been helped by some cellar time (although it has always been great).  Inky purple in color, slight ruby rim, but showing some slight age in color.  The nose is great with black raspberries, char, slight bacon fat, black olives and roasted meats.  Full bodied.  On the palate, this has a voluptuous texture.  Black raspberry fruit.  Good balance.  Light tannins.  Some anise on the finish.  This seems to be at peak.  It is still a big wine but less raucous than in its youth.  No hurry as it can do another ten years.  It

Torrin continues to make some of the best, fruit forward, Rhone varietals anywhere.  These are big wines that benefit from extended cellaring.  This one is 100% Syrah.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is intense with black raspberries, black pepper, slight iodine, roasted meats and herbs and spice.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  Great lush texture.  On the palate, concentrated black raspberry fruit, some blueberries, black pepper with underlying meatiness and char.  Nice acidity.  Lots of energy.  Long finish.  This will still get better over the next five years and drin

This is 100% Shiraz from Adelaide in Australia.  It is a single vineyard wine and it is stunning.  There was a time this was an affordable bottle and less expensive alternative to Grange, but both have seen steep escalation of their pricing.  Still, once in a while, this is doable.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is great with black raspberries, chocolate, black olives, leather and nutmeg.  Full bodied.  Great vibrant texture.  Nice acidity.  On the palate, this is complex and also delicious.  Black raspberry fruit with layers of fruit, earth and char.  Long finish.  Thi

Consistently one of the great values in California Syrah.  Deep purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has black raspberries, slight char, black pepper and roasted herbs.  Medium to full bodied.  On the palate, this has a great texture.  Black raspberry fruit with underlying meatiness and char.  Delicious.  Nice finish.  This will drink well over the next ten to twelve years.  A nice match with a burger or ribs off the grill.  

Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has black raspberries, black pepper, roasted herbs, slight burnt rubber, and a bit of cherries.  Full bodied.  Rich texture.  Lots of vibrancy.  On the palate, good fruit but not as boisterous as some vintages.  Black raspberries, black cherries, with underlying char and roasted meats.  Nice finish.  This is obviously young but drinking well.  It should mature for another five to ten years and drink well for eight to twelve after that.  It drinks great on its own and will work for big flavored foods.  Roasted chicken would work well.  

This is a blend of 52% Syrah and 48% Grenache from one of the great Rhone varietal vineyards of California (or anywhere).  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright, ruby at the rim.  The nose is great with black raspberries, black cherries, smoke, roasted herbs, and a bit of meatiness.  Full bodied.  Complex and seemingly at peak.  Layers of black raspberry and black cherry fruit with underlying char and slight earthiness.  Long finish.  Delicious.  This wine should continue to drink well for another ten to twelve years.  A nice match for Indian or Thal food.  

Another amazing Syrah from John Alban.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is complex and beautiful with black raspberries, roasted meats and roasted herbs, slight dark chocolate and a slight floral note.  Full bodied.  Great plush texture with more than enough acidity to tie everything together.  The palate has flavors of black raspberries, roasted herbs with a nice earthiness underneath.  Long finish.

Another gorgeous Syrah from John Alban.  Inky purple, opaque and bright.  The nose is big with black raspberries, chocolate, slight black olive and leather.  Full bodied.  On the palate, this is a huge wine.  Lush black raspberry fruit, chocolate, slight black pepper and baking spice.  A nice bit of acidity works well.  15.2% ABV but not noticeable on the palate or nose.  Delicious.  Long finish.  This still shows quite young and will calm down a bit with age.  This can do another twenty years but those who don't like big wines probably won't like this.  It drinks great on its own and will

Great wine and an even better value.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is great with black raspberries, black olives, black pepper and slight bacon fat.  Full bodied. On the palate, this is complex and deep.  Layers of black raspberry fruit, minerality, smoke and earthiness.  Great balance.  Long finish.  This is delicious.  Drink over the next ten to twelve years.  It will work great on its own and works well with roasted meats or veggies.

Pop and pour. This is a blend of 91% Syrah, 6% Mourvèdre and 3% Viognier.  Inky purple in color.  The nose is intense with with black raspberries, black olives, roasted herbs, dark chocolate and char.  Full bodied.  Great lush texture.  Lots of black raspberry fruit with underlying charred earth. Some chocolate on the finish.  Delicious.  This is still young and will improve over the next five to seven years.  It should drink well for ten to twelve after that.  It drinks great on its own, with time this will work just as well with food.  It worked well with Indian food.