2020 Jaffurs Syrah, USA, California, Santa Barbara, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$30.00USD

I tend to buy a case of these every year and drink them all young.  They would last longer, but at least it helps me keep my hands off of the single vineyard wines.  There has been a change in the ownership of the winery but the wines seem to be consistent.  Purple in color opaque and bright.  The nose is great with black raspberries, cedar, black pepper, slight black olive and char.  Full bodied.  Good balance.  This is a riper style of Syrah but not over the top.  On the palate, lots of black raspberry fruit with some char and black pepper.  Nice finish.  Drinks great on its own and would

2007 E. Guigal Côte-Rôtie Château d'Ampuis, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2007
Score: 
97
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$180.00USD

Wow!  This is in a great place.  Purple in color with some ruby hues, mostly opaque and bright.  Great nose of black raspberries, roasted meats and herbs. Full bodied.  Great balance.  On the palate, this is delicious and complex. Layers of black raspberries with underlying minerality and slight char.  Tannins are mostly resolved but still present.  Long finish.  This is at peak but will go another decade at this level.  Great on its own, this would work well with braised beef.  

2015 Carlisle Syrah Rosella's Vineyard, USA, California, Santa Lucia Highlands, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$45.00USD

Another outstanding wine from Carlisle.  This one is a bit more playful than some, but just as enjoyable.  At least as good, if not better on Day 2.  Deep garnet in color with purple swirls.  Opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with black raspberries, slight black olive, spice and roasted herbs.  Full bodied.  Lots of energy.  On the palate, nice black raspberry fruit with underlying spice and char.  Nice complexity.  Light but present tannins.  Nice finish.  A really enjoyable bottle.  Drank great on its own and worked with with a mushroom and potato dish.  Drink over the next seven to te

2019 Bedrock Wine Co. Syrah California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-

This is the base Syrah from Bedrock.  A tremendous value that delivers way above its price point.  If there is a problem with it, due to its low price, I don't seem to lay enough of these down to mid and long term cellaring.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has black raspberries, some char, a bit of black olives and spice.  Medium to full bodied.  Lovely texture.  On the palate, black raspberries, black cherries with some underlying earthiness and char.  Nice finish.  This should make good drinking for the next ten to twelve years.  It will go well with burgers, ribs or a corn

2016 Torrin Syrah Shadow Canyon Vineyard, USA, California, York Mountain, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-

This is 100% Syrah.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with black raspberries, black pepper and slight black olives.  Full bodied.  On the palate, black raspberry fruit with some underlying char.  Nice texture.  Light tannins.  Good finish.  Drinking well now and should continue for another eight to ten years.  A nice match for Indian food.  

 

2011 Cayuse Syrah Bionic Frog, USA, Washington, Walla Walla, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2011
Score: 
96
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$288.00USD

One of the best Syrahs being made anywhere. Purple in color with a slight ruby hue, opaque and bright.  The nose is great with black raspberries, slight burnt rubber, black olives, black pepper and slight bacon fat.  Full bodied.  Velvety texture.  Juicy acidity.  On the palate, lots of black raspberry fruit with some black olive notes and char.  Deep and complex.  Light tannins.  Long finish.  This is just getting near maturity.  It drinks great on its own and would work well with beef stew or chili.  Drink over the next ten to fifteen years.  

2001 Elderton Shiraz Single Vineyard Command, Australi, Barossa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2001
Score: 
96
Grade: 
A

Nice to get a chance to revisit this with some serious age on it.  The last time I tried it in 2014, it was great but young.  Purple in color, ruby swirls, opaque and bright.  The nose has black cherries, black raspberries, leather and black pepper.  Velvety texture.  This seems fully mature.  Complex.  Light tannins.  On the palate, this has black raspberries, some char, a bit of earthy funk and black pepper.  A bit sweet on the finish.  This is everything one wants in a mature Syrah.  Great on its own, this will work better with food.  It would work well with Lamb Curry.  

2001 Marquis Philips Shiraz Integrity, Australia, McLaren Vale, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2001
Score: 
98
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$180.00USD

When Marquis Phillips wines burst onto the scene around the beginning of the century, this was the flagship and quite the divisive wine.  It was a poster child for the big, perhaps overblown style of Aussie Shiraz that was so popular at the time.  Most loved them but many disliked the style.  It was interesting to check in on this 21 years later.  If you loved it then, you will still and vice-versa.  Purple in color with ruby hues.  Mostly clear and bright.  It seems the color has faded a tad in the intervening 21 years.  On the nose, this is fresh and big with black raspberries, black oliv

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