Syrah

Alban wines typically take some time to come around, but at age 7, this was drinking quite well.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim, opaque and bright.  The nose is great with black raspberries, roasted meats and roasted herbs, slight dark chocolate and black pepper.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, this is delicious.  It is on the bigger side but not a monster.  Black raspberry fruit with some black  pepper and a bit of roasted herbs.  Long finish.

James Berry Vineyard is the home vineyard of Saxum and one of the great Rhone varietal vineyards in the world.  Mike Officer of Carlisle does a great job with his allotment.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has black raspberries, blueberries, black pepper, slight black olives and spice.  Full bodied.  Tannins are resolved.  On the palate, this is delicious.  Black raspberries, blueberries and spice with underlying char.  Long finish.  This is drinking well and about at peak.  Drink over the next five to eight years.  Nice on its own, this would work well with (Vegetarian) Chil

Beautiful showing.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has black raspberries, anise, blueberries, spice, cedar and black pepper.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, this is still young but showing a lot of depth and some complexity.  Delicious.  Black raspberries, blueberries, coffee and anise with underlying char.  Great energy and liveliness.  Long finish.  Drink over the next thirty years.  Great on its own, this would be a nice accompaniment to a standing Rib Roast.  

This was purchased on release for around $15 and has been in my cellar ever since.  Really impressive showing.  Another wine that Robert Parker nailed!  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is expressive and very nice.  Black raspberries, espresso, smoked meats and black pepper.  Full bodied.  Tannins are resolved.  On the palate, this has a lush texture.  Plenty of black raspberry fruit with some complexity.  Long finish.  Delicious.  Drinking well at age 21, and while it probably can go another ten years, I would drink sooner than later.  This would work well with Roasted ro

Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with black raspberries, char, and coffee grounds.  On the palate, lots of spices along with black raspberries and cedar.  Medium tannins. Nice texture.  Long finish.  This is drinking young but nicely.  It may still improve but should drink well for another twelve to fifteen years.  Nice on its own, this would work well with grilled lamb chops.  

A different take on Barossa Shiraz that was not helped by being tasted with a bunch of typical brawny Barossa Shiraz.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has boysenberries with slight white pepper and a bit of cedar.  Full bodied.  Light tannins.  On the palate, this has a soft texture.  Boysenberry fruit with a slight cocoa note.  Moderate finish.  This drinks well on its own and will work well with grilled or roasted meats of vegetables.  Drink over the next eight to ten years.  

Purple in color with some ruby  hues, opaque and bright.  The nose is a bit lighter with black raspberries, white pepper and slight clay.  Medium to full bodied.  On the palate, black raspberries with some char.  Good finish.  This is a bit lighter in style and makes for easy drinking over the next five to eight years.  A nice wine with a  burger.  

Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  Great nose!  Black raspberries, grilled meats, black pepper and spice.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, this is delicious.  Black raspberry fruit with underlying char.  Lovely texture.  Long finish.  This is drinking well now and should  drink well for another ten to fifteen years.  Great on its own, this would be a nice wine with grilled meats or sausages.  Terrific value.

Purple in color, opaque if a bit flat.  The nose is nice with black raspberries and char.  On the palate, this is a bit lighter in style (but certainly drinks like Aussie Shiraz) with black raspberry fruit and a bit of char.  Nice finish.  Drink over the next six to eight years.  A nice wine to have with pizza.  

Inky purple in color, ruby at the rim, opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with black raspberries, clay and black pepper.  Full bodied.  Light tannins.  On the palate, lush texture with lots of black raspberry fruit.  Long finish.  This is drinking well now and should continue for another ten to twelve years.  This is nice on its own and would work well with BBQ Ribs.