2009 Leeuwin Estate ‘Siblings’ Shiraz, Margaret River, Australia
Translucent dusty ruby color, lightening at the edges. Polished leather, floral eucalyptus, briary dark berries, beeswax and vanilla interplay in the forward nose. The dark berry fruit follows through in the mouth, picking up earthy black olive,… Read more
2010 Greg Norman Shiraz, Limestone Coast, Australia
Nearly opaque ruby/crimson. Light notes of eucalyptus and smoke lead to deeper fruit impressions of raspberry, black plum and black cherry juice. Once in the mouth, a pleasing note of blueberry joins the mix of flavors. At the finish, mocha notes… Read more
2008 Trione Syrah, Russian River Valley
Opaque purple/black color. This is Syrah done old-school, with aromas of cough drop and fatty game meat, a whiff of violets, joined by herbs, black pepper and ample blackberry jam. Full, lush and mouth-filling, with velvety, earthy tannins. The… Read more
2009 Lawer Family Wines ‘Three Coins’ Syrah, Knights Valley, Sonoma County
Nearly opaque dark ruby/crimson color. Polished notes of new French oak frame refined dark berry fruits, followed by high-toned cinnamon woodspice. The wine enters the mouth light and lithe, then spreads out and coats the palate with a velvety… Read more
2010 Lawer Family Wines ‘Hooker Home Pitch’ Syrah, Knights Valley, Sonoma County
This wine is nearly opaque dark ruby in color. The smoke-tinged dark fruits show both fleshiness and sharpness, followed by aromatic woodspice. The wine sweetens up on the palate, picking up licorice and hints of herbed game meat. Pair this red with… Read more
2009 Jorian Hill Syrah, Santa Ynez Valley
Nearly opaque purple/black color, lightening toward the edges. A big dash of black pepper precedes aromas of dark flowers and juicy blackberry fruit. The fleshy black fruits carry through in the mouth, picking up fine-grained, chalky tannins past… Read more
2010 Rosemount Estate ‘Balmoral’ Syrah, McLaren Vale
Opaque, glass-staining purple/black color. Seductive aromas of graham cracker, roast coffee and chocolate frame rich dark berry compote. Creamy and mouth-filling, this wine picks up notes of licorice on the palate. The afterflavor is long, echoing… Read more
2010 Field Stone Syrah, Marion’s Block, Alexander Valley
Opaque purple/black color. Classic aromas of black pepper and a whiff of bacon fat, along with a fleeting scent of dark flowers, lead to ample dark berry compote. Juicy in the mouth, showing black fruit jam laced with a streak of pepper. This is a… Read more
2009 Transendence Syrah, Santa Ynez Valley
Deep opaque purple/black hue. Slow to unfold, the wine opens up to reveal jammy blackberry, a dash of white pepper, and perfumed wood scents. Juicy and mouth-filling, the concentrated jammy blackberry fruit carries through to the finish. This is a… Read more
2009 Domaine de Ferrand ‘La Ferrande,’ Cotes du Rhone, France
Bittersweet cocoa and coffee notes complicate and entwine layers of seasonal plum fruit and ripe cherry jam in this 100 percent Syrah from a small Rhone parcel. There’s a whiff of rosemary and fresh berry pie. 14 percent alcohol leaks around the… Read more
