Syrah

I am not sure how proper a bottle this was.  Certainly, not as good as prior bottles I have had in the past.  Purple in color, clear and bright.  The nose is different.  Some black raspberry fruit but also cloves and a slight minty quality.  Very nice texture although there are still tannins.  Black raspberry fruit that starts out a bit bitter but then finishes a bit sweet.  This was a vintage that had rains at the end and perhaps at least some of these grapes may have been picked after the harvest as it is lighter than most vintages of this wine.  All that said, it is still a very good win

What a spectacular bottle of wine.  This will certainly be in the running for WOTY.  Pop and pour, it took around thirty minutes to really open.  Luckily, this was being share with just a couple of friends.  This wine is no longer the port-like monster of its youth.  It is still a big wine for Chave, but it is starting to have a certain control to it.  Purple/ruby in color.  The nose is amazing with black raspberries, violets, slight white pepper, minerals and earth.  On the palate, this has tight layers that unwind in the glass.  Black raspberries, white pepper and crushed rocks.  Long fin

Opened to watch the NCAA Championship Basketball game.  While still young, this is drinking nicely and provided a lot of enjoyment today.  Still, its best days are ahead and this should continue to improve.  Purple in color with ruby swirls.  On the nose, this has black raspberries, black pepper, slight bacon fat and slighter violets.  On the palate, this has firm tannins.  Juicy black raspberry fruit.  Showing layers of black raspberries, charcoal and earth.  Delicious.  Needs bigger foods.  This should easily last another decade and probably two.  

This is an excellent Syrah.  It drinks a lot like a St. Joseph or better Crozes-Hermitage.  Purple in color.  The nose has black raspberries, slight bacon fat, spice and slight damp earth.  On the palate, this is full bodied.  Juicy black raspberries that are ripe enough but just barely.  Great texture.  Medium tannins.  Great balance.  This will work with medium of heavier foods/spicy foods very well.  Drinking well now, it may still improve but should have another decade.  

Wow.  My first time trying this wine and it is spectacular.  Purple in color with a slight ruby rim.  The nose has toast, black raspberries and black pepper.  With air notes of soy sauce and black olives emerge.  Full bodied but this lovely silky but powerful texture.  On the palate, this has great boysenberry fruit with an underlying minerality.  It is deep and complex and persistent on the palate.  It is also delicious.  Long finish.  This will easily continue to improve for a decade and be good for another decade or two after that.  It worked great with a spicy pasta dish but would work

Ruby in color, some browning at the rim.  The nose is slightly dusty with black cherries and spice.  On the palate, this has some cherries and dried cherries with a bit of earthiness.  Good acidity.  Reasonably complex.  This is still alive and drinking well if perhaps a bit past prime.  It is surprisingly clean given the age and how Chateauneufs were produced back then.  It went well with a tomato cream soup and indeed, would work with a wide variety of foods.  

Paso Robles is making some of the best Syrahs anywhere in the world.  They have a warm fruit profile and are delicious.  Dark purple in color.  The nose has black raspberries, slight roasted meats, black pepper and spice.  On the palate, this has a wonderful texture.  Juicy yet lush.  Lots of black raspberry fruit with pepper notes and some underlying char.  Long finish.  Delicious.  This works with roasted foods.  Another good match are Indian foods.  

I love Saxum wines.  They might not be or everyone, but more times than not, they are crowd pleasers.  This one was served with friends along side a cheese course at the end of a meal and it was wonderful.  It is blend of 57% Grenache (60% aged in concrete), 31% Mourvedre, and 12% Syrah.  It has very high alcohol levels and a ton of fruit.  It drinks well on its own or needs some hearty food (or cheeses) to stand up to it.  inky purple in color.  The nose has black raspberries, some white pepper, black cherries, spice and slight roasted herbs.  On the palate, this has a lovely energetic qua

Purple/ruby in color.  The nose is nice with black raspberries, slight raspberries, a bit of minerality and spice.  On the palate, this is mid-weight.  Drinking well right now.  Light tannins.  Good acidity.  Ripe enough black raspberry fruit.  This will work well with stews and roasts and is better with food.  Some peppery qualities on the finish.  Probably needs to be consumed in the next five years.  

Finally.  I have been drinking this wine since release and it is finally approaching ready to drink.  There was always potential but it has now been realized.  Hopefully, everyone still has some left.  Purple in color.  The nose has black raspberries, black pepper and slight roasted meat and roasted herbs.  On the palate, this is not big but it is concentrated.  Lots of black raspberry fruit but not over ripe.  A nice under layer or char and slight salinity.  Very nice balance and texture.  Long finish.  This begs for roasted meats or veggies though Indian food would work well too.  It shou