2020 Luke Wines The Companion Red Blend, USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$25.00USD

This is a blend of  54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 14% Syrah, 3% Petite Verdot, 1% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Malbec from Washington State.  Deep garnet in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is nice; dusty with black raspberries, plums, spice, slight black cherries and a hint of vanilla.  Soft texture with medium tannins.  On the palate, black raspberries, cassis with underlying spice and slight char.  Long finish.  This is an easy drinking red that has some backbone and depth.  Drink over the next five to seven years.  Very nice on its own, this will work great with a brisket out

2017 Tablas Creek Syrah, USA, California, Paso Robles, Adelaida, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-

This is a winery only release from this winery who makes quite a few different wines only sold as such.  It is cooler climate in style.  Purple in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has boysenberries, smoked herbs, slight bacon fat and black pepper.  Medium bodied.  Light tannins.  On the palate, boysenberries with some char.  Nice finish.  This is nice on its own but better with food.  It went well with Indian food.  Drink over the next five to ten years.

2016 Penfolds Shiraz RWT Bin 798, Australia, Barossa Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
97
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$158.00USD

Purple/garnet in color, magenta at the rim, opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with black raspberries, sandalwood, slight black pepper and roasted herbs.  Firm tannins.  Lovely texture.  On the palate, black raspberry fruit with spice and some char.  Long finish.  Still youthful although progressing right along.  Drink over the next ten or fifteen years.  Great on its own, this worked well with roasted veggies.  Expensive but not crazy for the quality.  

2010 Carlisle Syrah Papa's Block, USA, California, Sonoma, Russian River Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2010
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A

This is in a great spot right now.  Still youthful but drinking well.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has black raspberries, roasted herbs and slight roasted meats.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, black raspberry fruit with underlying char.  Also some black pepper.  Deep.  Long finish.  This is near peak but should go another eight to twelve years.  Very nice on its own, this would also work well at the dinner table with slow cooked meats or veggies.  

2014 Tensley Syrah Tierra Alta Vineyard, USA, California, Santa Barbara, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$35.00USD

Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has black raspberries, black pepper, slight roasted herbs and spice.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, black raspberries, char and slight dark chocolate notes.  Nice finish.  This is drinking well now and should for the next eight to twelve years.  Nice on its own, this will work well with Indian dishes, too.  

2020 Toby Bekkers Syrah, Australia, McLaren Vale, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A

A friend brought this back from his vacation to Australia.  My first time trying this producer.  It is very distinct but comes off more Cote Rotie than what I think of when I think Aussie Shiraz.  And, for that matter, why isn't it labelled Shiraz?  The label calls it Syrah.  In any event, an excellent wine if still young.  Purple in color with a thin ruby rim, opaque and bright.  The nose has black cherries, boysenberries, char, roasted meats and herbs, and slight black olive.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, this is dense but its easy to see to quality.  Tasted over a couple

2014 Saxum Syrah Booker Vineyard, USA, California, Paso Robles, Willow Creek District, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
96
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$155.00USD

From Magnum and consumed over 3 days.  It was great on all three but probably at its best on day 2.  This is a blend of 68% Syrah and 32% Mourvedre  at 15.1% abv.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has black raspberries, slight plums, spice and a hint of old leather.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, black raspberries with a lush texture.  Some char and spice.  Long finish.  This drinks easy and despite the alcohol and fruit forwardness, it is not a monster wine.  Nice depth and complexity.  Nice on its own, this would work well with roasted meats but worked very we

2015 Patrick Jasmin Côte-Rôtie La Giroflarie, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$70.00USD

Pop and pour, this took a few minutes to open, then just kept getting better.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim, opaque and bright.  The nose is great; earthy with black cherries, some black raspberries, smoke and black olives.  Medium bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, this is tight but unwinds in the glass.  Layers of black raspberries, black pepper, black olives and char.  Good acidity.  Long finish.  This is not a big wine, but has all the stuffing.  It still will improve a bit more.  Drink over the next twelve to fifteen years.  A nice match for a lamb or beef stew.  

2017 Alban Vineyards Syrah Reva Alban Estate Vineyard, USA, California, Edna Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
98
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$107.00USD

Opened this on night one.  It was drinking ok, but tight.  Recorked, on the counter and reopened the following evening.  Much better.  This is 97 to 100% Syrah with the balance, Viognier.  While perhaps a "weaker" vintage and more accessible than most, this is a killer wine.  Inky purple in color, opaque and shimmering bright.  The nose has black raspberries, maybe some boysenberries (its a fine line), along with black pepper, black olives and slight floral notes.  In the glass, an earthy note comes out.  Great texture.  Luxurious but energetic at the same time.  On the palate, black raspbe

2020 Domaine Bousquet Gaia Red Blend, Argentina, Mendoza, Gualtallary Vineyard, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$20.00USD

This is a blend of Malbec, Syrah, and Cabernet Sauvignon organic grapes.  Deep garnet in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has black cherries, black raspberries, plum, slight weedy notes and clay.  Medium to full bodied.  Good acidity.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, this has black cherry fruit.  Simple and easy drinking but a nice value.  Great choice for a party.  This works well on its own and would be nice with a burger or chicken off the grill.  Drink over the next few years.  

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