Top Ten California Syrahs - 2016

I tend to taste and drink a lot of wine over the course of a year. I am in a few tasting groups, sometimes the wines are consumed at various local wine store tastings and a number drunk with friends and family.

2018 Domaine de la Côte Sainte-Epine St. Joseph Vieilles Vignes, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-

Purple in color with some ruby hues, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has black raspberries, roasted herbs and meats, and black pepper.  Light tannins.  Nice texture.  good balance.  On the palate, this is drinking well.  Black raspberry fruit with some char and a bit or pepper.  Good finish.  This is nice on its own but better with a bit of food.  It went well with vegetarian (black bean) Chili.  

2020 Levo Petite Sirah Nada Mas, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$33.00USD

Another winner from this winery.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has black raspberries, roasted meats and herbs, black pepper and spice.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  Good balance.  On the palate, this is tasty.  It is a big wine, but for a Paso Syrah more middle of the road.  Juicy acidity makes it very food friendly.  It would work well with beef stew but also Indian cuisine.  Drink over the next ten to twelve years.  

2010 E. Guigal Côte-Rôtie Château d'Ampuis, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2010
Score: 
96
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$180.00USD

This is in a great place right now.  It has started to shed some of its oak coat and the fruit is coming thru.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has boysenberries, spice, slight lumber, black pepper and roasted herbs.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  Nice texture.  On the palate, boysenberries, vanilla, spice, black pepper and roasted herbs.  Long finish.  This could use a few more years but should drink well for another ten to fifteen.  Right now it could use some fatty food to match it with.  

2019 Sine Qua Non Syrah Distenta I, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
99
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$260.00USD

Yes, this is young and will improve.  But you know what?  Some days you just want your wine to do the talking.  This perfect after one of those days.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has black raspberries, black pepper, roasted meats and roasted herbs.  Full bodied.  High energy.  Great balance.  Firm tannins.  On the palate, this is deep and delicious.  Black raspberries, char and black pepper.  Long finish.  This will get even better but was great.  Drink over the next twenty to thirty years.  We had it on its own, but this would be just fine with a steak or (veggie) Bu

2017 TH Estate Wines Syrah The Hedge, USA, California, Paso Robles, Willow Creek, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

This is what used to be Terry Hoage  Winery.  It is 98% Syrah and 2% Mourvedre.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has black raspberries, roasted meats, black pepper and char.  Full bodied.  Medium to firm tannins.  On the palate, this is a big wine.  Full throttle.  Flavors of black raspberries with some black pepper and char.  Good finish.  This is nice on its own but will take big food.  Roasted or grilled meats and/or veggies would work.  Drink over the next eight to twelve years.  

2021 Bedrock Wine Co. Syrah California, USA, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$23.00USD

Another great value from Bedrock.  This is their basic Syrah and it is excellent and reasonably priced.  Purple in color with some ruby hues, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has black raspberries, char, slight black pepper and roasted herbs.  Medium to full bodied.  Medium tannins.  Good acidity.  On the palate, this is delicious.  Black raspberry fruit with some  black pepper and char.  It should drink well for another ten years.  Nice on its own, a great choice for a mid week burger.  

2012 Jaffurs Syrah, USA, California, Santa Barbara, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2012
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$30.00USD

This is the basic Jaffur's Syrah.  One of the better value is the fine wine world.  Normally, these get consumed early on, so it was fun to taste one with some age.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is great with black raspberries, slight char, black pepper and roasted meats.  Also, a bit earthy.  Full bodied.  Mild tannins.  Nice balance.  On the palate, this seems mature.  Drinking well.  Nice depth with a bit of complexity.  Flavors of black raspberries, with char and a nice earthiness.  Drink over the next five to eight years.  It went very well with Indian takeout.  

2019 Andremily Syrah G2 Vineyard, USA, California, Paso Robles, Willow Creek, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
98
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$225.00USD

This is a different Syrah from Andremily.  It is a one off release from the G2 Vineyard in Paso Robles.  The wine is a blend of 88% Syrah with 12% Mourvedre.  Inky purple in color, opaque and shimmering bright.  The nose has black raspberries, white pepper, roasted meat, char and slight floral notes.  Full bodied.  Medium to firm tannins.  On the palate, this has a great plush texture.  Juicy black raspberry fruit with black pepper and char.  Slight black olive note on the finish.  Delicious if still very young.  Give it another five to eight years and drink for twenty after that.  great on

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