Posts Tagged syrah

Below are two tasting notes on a couple of syrahs from Napa based wineries.

2001 Shafer Relentless Syrah

A very solid wine with great deal of power, and lots of fruit goodness. The nose had a smoky nature that held blueberry and raspberry notes, in that classic Napa-style. Big fruit in the front, followed by chocolate-covered cherries and mocha notes. The finish was long and deep with a good bit of acidity towards the end. It has to be said that this wine was a little one-dimensional, but overall it possessed a ton of power and richness to peak my interest and keep me wanting to come back for more. It also has a long life ahead of it with many more drinkable years in the bottle.

Rating: 91pts

2005 Neyers Old Lakeville Highway Syrah

This was a beautifully rich Syrah from California. The wine was a cross between old world and new, with an extracted flavor and an earthy, almost musky quality. Flavors of dark plums and mushrooms were most noticeable. It also had nice cherry kiersch and tobacco notes. This wine had good body and length on the mid-palate, with a nice soft, rounded finish. Overall, it was a very enjoyable wine. Priced around $27.

Rating: 91+ pts

Don’t let the name fool you. There’s nothing usually “petit” about these wines. Petit Syrah is just another grape, and the wines tend to be even darker, richer, and fuller than a normal Syrah wine. I always like a good petit, especially in the summer for barbeque. The richness and smooth quality of the wine matches up well to burgers and bbq ribs. Here are a couple of wines to keep an eye out for.

2005 Vina Paul Lodi Petit Syrah/Syrah Blend

Good spice box and blueberry notes on the nose. A little smoked meat too. Big fruity wine – full bodied – with a nice bit of spice, blueberry and raspberries notes, Bell pepper, tobacco. A little cigar box, and then dry finish with earthy mix of mushroom and mint. Long finish, with a good grip and tannins. Great fruit through the finish. Lovely wine and for the price really pushes what can be done.

Price: $15
Rating: 91pts

2005 Grazino Petit Sirah

This wine had a big nose with black/blueberries persistent. Also had some cedar and smokiness along with bell pepper and vegetal qualities. A big mouth-feel with integrated tannins and a good grip. There’s lots of cedar and oak in the wine, seemed a little bit like licking the barrel. There was some fruit underneath present blueberries and raspberries. I definitely pick up the Zin in it as well. This wine was still a little young and hard. Has some potential to even out but probably not going to get too great.

Rating: 88pts
Priced around $20