This is the first vintage and first wine under the Saxum label. It is a blend of 92% Syrah, 5% Grenache and 3% Mourvedre. 14.8% abv.
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.
This is maturing on a nice path is while not at peak, it is getting pretty gosh darn close. Purple in color with a ruby rim, opaque and bright. The nose is classic with boysenberries, char, black pepper and bacon fat. Medium to full bodied. Well balanced. On the palate, lots of boysenberry fruit with some black pepper and a bit of char. Long finish. This drinks well on its own and will also work with food. Cassoulet would be a classic pairing. Drink over the next seven to ten years.
This is a blend of 92% Syrah, 6% Mourvedre, and 2% Viognier. Inky purple in color, opaque and bright. The nose is great with black raspberries, blueberries, black pepper, chocolate and roasted meat. Full bodied. Medium tannins. Nice acidity. On the palate, this is delicious. Lots of black raspberries with some blueberries over a bit of roasted meat (more char). Long finish. Drinking nicely if not fully mature. Drink over the next ten to fifteen years. Great on its own, this needs bigger food. It would work well with Prime Rib.
This wine is a blend of the best individual vineyard barrels of Syrah (50% Thompson, 33% Larner and 17% Verna's Vineyard). Purple in color, opaque and bright. The nose is great with black raspberries, black pepper, slight bacon fat and roasted meat. With air a slight "purple" flower note. Full bodied. Medium tannins. Lovely texture. On the palate, this is delicious. Not a fruit monster but not shy either. Lots of depth. Still drinking youthfully. Lot of black raspberry fruit with some underlying char and minerality. Nice finish. Great on its own, this works well with food. It
This comes from the son of the owner of Sine Qua Non Wines, but Nikolas Krankl is making excellent wines that stand on their own. This is a blend of 93% Syrah, 2% Grenache, 2% Mourvedre, and 3% Roussane. Inky purple in color, opaque and bright. The nose is great with black raspberries, roasted meats and herbs, and black pepper. Lovely, slightly viscous texture. This is a big, ripe wine but it is not heavy or plodding. Delicious black raspberry fruit with black pepper and a gamey note on the palate. Lots of energy and acidity. Long finish. This is still very young but for those who
The devil is in the details and with Cuviason’s Diablo Syrah, the details are key to an exceptional wine. Syrah often is mis-treated and most Syrahs on the market are fairly benign. But winemaker Steve Rogstad coaxes much out of these 21-year-old vines grown is less than optimal soils. A smooth viscosity leads to plum, huckleberry, black cherry, red currant, and light pomegranate notes, with back notes of young tobacco leaf and new leather. This is not a timid wine, but a sensuous one that is definitely meant to work with food, as it’s a little heavier on the alcohol.
A nice take on a Washington state Syrah. Purple in color with some ruby swirls. The nose has black cherries, cloves, black pepper and char. Medium tannins. Plenty of depth. On the palate, black cherries with underlying minerality and char. Good acidity. Long finish. This is still on the younger side but should drink well for another ten to fifteen years. A nice choice with Beef Stew.
Tensley is an excellent source for excellent wines at fair pricing. This one is a blend of 75% Syrah and 25% Grenache. This was a Magnum only release. Purple in color, opaque and bright. The nose is nice with black raspberries, black pepper, slight roasted herbs and a hint of floral notes. Full bodied. Medium tannins. On the palate, this is delicious. Black raspberry fruit with some pepper and underlying char. Nice finish. Drinking well now and should continue for another ten to twelve years. Very nice on its own, this would also be nice with roasted vegetables.
Having just recently tasted the 2017, it was interesting to try the 2018. For my tastes, this was just a bit better than the 2017, but that is probably because it is more open and accessible. Purple in color with ruby swirls, mostly clear and bright. Very nice nose with black raspberries, black pepper, spice, slight fresh cut lumber and slight violets. Medium to full bodied. Firm tannins. On the palate, this is drinking well if young. Lots of black raspberry fruit. Depth but tight. Underlying char and spice. A fair amount of oak on the finish. This will get better and holding ano
