Monticello, Napa Valley, Oak Knoll District, Estate Grown, Syrah 2005 Lush and graced by black fruits and a bit of black pepper. P&B in Napa 14.5% $ at the winery Monticello
Trinafour, Mendocino County, Niemi Vineyard, Carignane 2006 There’s ample acidity to give this wine some tang and the tannins are ripe and refined. Sourced from a vineyard planted in the 1950s and cultivated organicalley. There’s a bit of Petit Sirah included as well. V&B in Hopland 14.3% $22.50 at Traverso’s
Margerum, Santa Barbara County, M5 2005 The fruit and perfume say new world in this approachable wine that is not short on density. This Rhone blend is 55% Syrah, 18% Grenache, 14% Mourvedre, 7% Cinsault and 2% Counoise. P&B in Los Olivos 14.5% $23.99 at Bottle Barn Margerum
Vieux Telegraphe, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Télégramme 2006 The previous vintage featured earth and black pepper, a fairly big structure with warmth. After 3 hours, the fruit really started to show. Again with this wine, the ’06 there is tannin to chew on and fruit to be showy, this time coming through more readily. The tannins are definitely riper creating a softer impression than with the ’05. Mis par Brunier et fils a Bedarrides, 90 Grenache and 10 Mourvedre, mostly from the Plateau de la Crau from vines averaging 25 years old 14.5% $39 at Traverso’s Vieux Telegraphe
