2015 Saxum Terry Hoage Vineyard, USA, California, Paso Robles, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
96
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$100.00USD

This is a blend of 50% Syrah, 34% Grenache, 16% Mourvedre checking in at 15.7% ABV.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is great with black raspberries, plums, black pepper, slight roasted herbs and meats and a bit of violets.  Full bodied.  Great lush texture but with lively acidity.  So easy to drink with no noticeable alcohol on the nose or palate.  Black raspberries over roasted earth with some herbs.  Long finish.  This is young but accessible.  It should continue to improve over the next three to seven years and drink well for another ten to fifteen after that.  It dri

1999 E. Guigal Côte-Rôtie Château d'Ampuis, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
1999
Score: 
96
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$200.00USD

Purchased on release and well cellared.  Pop and pour, the cork was stained about half way up but not compromised.  The first sip really grabs one's attention.  Deep garnet in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is great with black raspberries, lots of earthiness, black cherries and a bit of roasted meats.  Full bodied.  On the palate, this is complex and layered.  Lots of vibrant fruit; black raspberries and black cherries.  Great balance.  Seems to be just about at mature peak.  Nice finish.  The bottle improved over a few hours before just starting to tail off.  Drink over the nex

2019 United Ink Red Blend, USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$18.00USD

At a recent tasting of United Ink Wines, this was the runaway crowd favorite.  It is a blend of 60% Merlot, 20% Syrah, and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon from Washington state.  Garnet in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with black cherries, chocolate and slight black raspberry.  Mice mouthfeel.  Light to medium tannins.  On the palate, nice black raspberry and black cherries fruit with some chocolate.  Firm tannins on the finish.  This is delicious.  It drinks (easy).  Great on its own, this would be great with a burger or other foods off the grill.  Drink over the next five year

2013 Saxum Heart Stone Vineyard, USA, California, Paso Robles, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2013
Score: 
97
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$275.00USD

From Magnum.  54% Syrah, 35% Grenache, and 11% Mourvedre.  Opened and allowed to breather for a few hours prior to serving.  Inky purple in color.  The nose is great with black raspberries, blueberries, char, and white pepper.  Full bodied.  Delicious.  On the palate, ever so slightly ripe/sweet black raspberries with some cassis and underlying char.  Deep.  Lush texture.  Great balance.  Long finish.  Still on the younger side of mature at least from Magnum.  Another few years and should be good for ten to fifteen more after that.  Great on its own, this  will work with ribs or full flavor

2011 Sine Qua Non Syrah Patine Eleven Confessions Vineyard, USA, California, Santa Rita Hills, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2011
Score: 
96
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$525.00USD

Allowed to breathe for a couple hours before serving.  A blend of 97% Syrah, 2% Roussanne and 1% Viognier.  Inky purple in color.  The nose has boysenberries, roasted meats and roasted herbs, and some black pepper.  Full bodied.  On the palate, the boysenberries come thru with an underlying char.  This is deep with some complexity.  Not as intense or explosive as many of Manfred's wines but still a big wine.  15.5% abv but not noticeable on the nose or palate.  This is getting close to maturity but might still improve.  It drinks great on its own but will work with grilled or roasted veggie

2012 Saxum Bone Rock James Berry Vineyard, USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2012
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$150.00USD

Great showing for this wine as it near maturity.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is great with black raspberries, slight black olive, white pepper and slight char.  Full bodied.  Great texture.  On the palate, crisp black raspberry fruit with plenty of depth.  Light tannins.  Underlying char and pepper.  Long finish.  A lot of alcohol but not noticeable on the nose or palate.  Delicious and a crowd favorite.  Srink over the next ten to twelve years.  A nice match with roasts or food off the grill.  

2014 Tensley Syrah OGT, USA, California, Santa Barbara, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A

This was the groups favorite at a recent tasting of Central Coast Syrah's and with good reason.  Delicious.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has black raspberries, black pepper, bacon fat and slight blueberries.  Full bodied.  On the palate, black raspberry fruit with underlying char and slight pepper.  A nice backbone of acidity.  Long finish.  This may yet improve a bit over the next three to five years.  Drink for ten to twelve more after that.  Great on its own.  With time it will work better with food.  Roasted meats or fowl is a nice choice.  

2014 Samsara Syrah Zotovich Vineyard, USA, California, Santa Barbara, Sta. Rita Hills, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$50.00USD

Great showing for this wine.  A cooler climate style of Syrah.  Garnet in color, ruby at the rim.  Mostly clear and bright.  The nose has boysenberries, black pepper, black olives and slight char.  Medium to full bodied.  On the palate, black raspberries, some black cherries with underlying earthiness.  Good acidity.  Nice finish.  This is drinking well now and should continue to do so for another seven to ten years.  Nice on its own,  it should be better with food.  Chili or beef stew would be a nice choice.  

2012 Qupé Syrah Bien Nacido Hillside Estate, USA, California, Sta. Maria Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2012
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$25.00USD

From Magnum.  Garnet/purple in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has black raspberries, dust, some black cherries and spice.  medium bodied.  Light tannins.  Good acidity.  On the palate, nice black raspberry fruit.  Good finish.  Drinking well right now.  Drink over the next five years.  Nice on its own, this will work well with roasted or grilled meats and/or veggies.  

2018 Qupé Syrah, USA, California, Central Coast, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$16.00USD

 Excellent value.  A blend of 82% Syrah, 13% Grenache, and the rest is Tempranillo and Mourvèdre.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has black raspberries, black cherries and black pepper.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, black raspberries with a slight char base.  This is a nice wine that should drink well for the next five to seven years.  It drinks well on its own and would work with roasted chicken.  

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