2019 North Coast Wine Club Syrah, USA, Washington, Yakima Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$25.00USD

This is made from Syrah grown in Washington state, shipped cold to northeast Ohio where it is vinified.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has black cherries, slight black raspberries, cloves, spice, slight burnt rubber (not a bad thing), and some chocolate.  Medium to full bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, this is cooler climate in style.  Boysenberries, char and slight chocolate.  Good acidity.  Moderate finish.  This is nice on its own but really begging for food.  It would work very well with Turkish food (for the adventurous).  Drink over the

2007 Saxum Bone Rock James Berry Vineyard, USA, California, Paso Robles, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2007
Score: 
98
Grade: 
A+

Hard to believe that a 16 year old California Syrah could taste so youthful, but this bottle was bought on release and well stored.  82% Syrah, 13% Mourvedre, and 5% Grenache.  15.7% abv.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has black raspberries, roasted meat, roasted red peppers, white pepper and slight char.  Full bodied.  Well balanced.  Great texture.  Powerful yet agile, it is both huge and deft at the same time.  On the palate, this is delicious.  Medium tannins.  Loads of black raspberry fruit with some minerality, white pepper and char.  Long finish.  Tasting thru th

2006 Saxum Bone Rock James Berry Vineyard, USA, California, Paso Robles, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2006
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$130.00USD

76% Syrah, 18% Mourvedre, and 6% Grenache.  This weighed in at 16.7% abv!  Again, this is a monster wine, but it doesn't drink like one.  No noticeable alcohol on the nose or palate.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has black raspberries, plums, White pepper, Roasted herbs and slight earthy/gamey meats.  Full bodied.  Great acidity.  On the palate, this has loads of fruit.  Black raspberries, black cherries and slight plums with a bit of black pepper and char.  Long finish.  This is a great wine if not quite up to the top vintages of Bone Rock, it is almost there.  It is

2005 Saxum Bone Rock James Berry Vineyard, USA, California, Paso Robles, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2005
Score: 
98
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$150.00USD

Really great showing for this bottle.  93% Syrah and 7% Grenache.  16.1% abv.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is great with black raspberries, roasted meats and roasted herbs, floral notes, white pepper and slight earthiness.  Full bodied.  Again, that Saxum lightness of being both enormous and light on its feet at the same time.  No sign of alcohol on the nose or palate.  On the palate, loads of black raspberry fruit with some roasted meats, minerality and juicy acidity.  Long finish.  Most tasters had this highly ranked.  Drinking youthfully.  This bottle was purchased

2004 Saxum Bone Rock James Berry Vineyard, USA, California, Paso Robles, wine Review

Vintage: 
2004
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-

This wine has been troublesome since release with what appears to be trapped CO2.  I don't think it is refermentation as there are not really any off odors that usually accompanies.  It was interesting to try at 19 years from vintage.  This bottle was opened and allowed to breathe for an hour or so prior to serving.  Deep garnet in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with black raspberries, very earthy, slightly sweaty, some roasted meats.  Full bodied.  On the palate, there is some carbonation.  Not frothy but a line of bubbles in the glass.  The wine is drinkable and pretty

2003 Saxum Bone Rock James Berry Vineyard, USA, California, Paso Robles, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2003
Score: 
98
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$160.00USD

In a vertical tasting of Saxum Bone Rock, 2000 thru 2007, this was the groups favorite.  It is in a beautiful, still youthful, place right now.  This is a blend of 88% Syrah, 8% Grenache, and 4% Mourvedre with 15.7% abv.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is great with black raspberries, some char, some roasted meat and slight floral note.  Full bodied.  Lots of energy and at the same time, almost weightless as it dances across the palate.  Notes of black raspberries with minerality and char.  Great acidity.  Long finish.  Delicious.  Drinking very well on its own, this will wor

2002 Saxum Bone Rock James Berry Vineyard, USA, California, Paso Robles, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2002
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$150.00USD

93% Syrah and 7% Grenache.  Weighs in at 15.9% abv. but it is not noticeable until you stand up.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is great with black raspberries, roasted herbs, gamey meats and slight floral note.  This was a warm vintage, but this bottle, bought on release, has held up nicely.  Still drinking youthfully.  On the palate, black raspberries with roasted herbs and a nice iron/minerality note.  Nice finish.  Delicious.  This seems like it should till have another seven to ten years.  Nice on its own, this would go great with a burger.  

2001 Saxum Bone Rock James Berry Vineyard, USA, California, Paso Robles, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2001
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$150.00USD

Another blend of 92% Syrah, 5% Grenache and 3% Mourvedre from Paso Robles.  15.6%abv.  This is still showing youthfully and its hard to believe this is 22 years from vintage.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is great with black raspberries, white pepper, slight bacon fat and a bit of char.  Full bodied.  Great balance.  On the palate, this is delicious.  No sign of alcohol on the palate.  Lots of black raspberry fruit with some white pepper and a bit of char.  Based on this bottle, bought on release and cellared, this has another decade of life at least.  Great on its own, thi

2019 Michael Angelo's Syrah, Santa Ynez Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$40.00USD

The label on this lists Santa Ynez Valley which is in Santa Barbara County, California.  The grapes were grown there and then shipped to Ohio where the wine was produced.  Interestingly, the label also indicates that this is only sold in Ohio. Garnet in color, purple at the core, mostly clear and bright.  The nose is tight but shows boysenberries, cherries, and a bit of cedar on the nose.  Medium bodied.  Strong backbone of acidity.  On the palate, black cherries and slight boysenberries.  This will work better with food.  Cassoulet would be a good choice.

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