Syrah

This is still pretty tight and in need of cellaring or air.  Getting there but taking forever.  If drinking soon, give it a nice decant.  Purple in color.  The nose has boysenberries, black pepper, and slight bacon fat.  On the palate, this has a nice backbone of acidity.  Black raspberry fruit.  Some tannins.  Some depth, it unwinds in the glass.  Nice finish.  Food friendly.  Hold for a few more years.  

These wines are taking forever to come around.  Just now starting to show something.  This is going to be a beautiful wine.  Its outstanding now, but not nearly at peak and needs a lot of air.  Purple in color.  The nose has black raspberries, minerals, black pepper and slight black olives.  On the palate, this is cooler climate in style.  Black raspberries, slight black olives, earthiness and a mineral streak.  Good acidity.  Long finish.  

This is a winery that really doesn't get the publicity it deserves.  Purple in color.  The nose has black raspberries, some black pepper, a hint of roasted meats and herbs.  Neither war climate not cool climate in style.  On the palate, black raspberries layered with char and slight earthiness.  Good acidity.  Lots of tasty fruit with light tannins at this point.  It takes an hour or two to really open and then is drinking beautifully.  Nice finish.  Good with food.  

Purple in color.  The nose has black raspberries, black olives, white pepper and slight bacon fat.  With air, some slight grilled meats.  On the palate, black raspberries with a bit of bacon fat.  This is ripe but still drink rather Northern Rhone-ish.  Good balance.  Long finish.  worked well with food.  

Saxum just killed it in 2007 and now that the wines have shed their baby fat and some of the exuberance, they are rocking.  Inky purple in color.  The nose has black raspberries, black pepper and gamey meats (in a good way).  On the palate, wonderful texture.  High energy.  This is a big wine but so light on its feet.  Lots of alcohol but it never shows in anywhere.  Delicious.  Deep and complex.  Still, may have some upside as this ages.  Easily has a decade, probably two.  Just a fantastic wine.  

Inky purple in color, bright.  On the nose there is nice black raspberry fruit with black pepper.  On the palate, this is a big, fruity wine.  Lots of black raspberry fruit.  Slight mineral backbone.  Deep but tight.  I think a few more years of cellaring will bring out even more of its potential.  Although it drinks cooler climate, it is a big wine.  Nice texture.  Long finish.  

Purple/ruby in color.  The nose has black raspberries and slight bacon fat.  On the palate, cranberries and black cherries.  Slightly sour notes. Light tannins.  This is a great wine to fool people in a blind tasting.  After all, who is going to guess German Syrah?  At around $30, this is not crazy priced either.  Nothing amazing here but it is a solid, cooler profile Syrah.  

Nice value here.  This drinks cooler climate in style.  Purple in color.  The nose has nice cherries and dark cherries with baking spices and sandalwood.  On the palate, this has decent acidity.  The cherry flavors carry thru along with some cola notes.  At under $20 per bottle, this is easy to gift or drink at a party and yet, interesting.  I would like to taste this in a warmer vintage to see how it compares.  

Torrin has quickly become one of my favorite Rhone blends anywhere.  I urge people to get on their mailing list before it fills up (if it hasn't already).  2011 was a difficult vintage for many in paso, but Torrin handled it quite well.  This one is a unique Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Tannat blend.  Gorgeous wine that was delicious if still young.  Purple in color.  The nose has black raspberries, graphite, some black cherries and an underlying char.  Full bodied.  These are big wines.  The black raspberry carries thru to the palate as does the underlying char.  A great minerality as well. 

Pop and pour.  This needs air or cellar time.  Inky purple in color.  The nose has great black raspberries with black pepper and some roasted meats.  Very young.  Firm tannins.  Great black raspberry fruit.  Plenty of depth but hard to see the bottom.  It opens slightly in the glass.  The last sip three hours later is the best.  Plenty of upside for this wine.  It is delicious but if drinking it now, open it 12 hours in advance to breathe.