Category Archives: Syrah

More Red Wines of Lake County

Posted on May 8, 2012 by Ray Johnson

Bell Hill, Lake County, Merlot 2005 When first tasted in July 2009, I wrote: the nose features sweet notes of vanilla and cherries while the mouth repeats with ripe tannins, just to let you know they are there – very … Continue reading →

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Napa Cellars Dyer Vineyard Syrah 2009

Posted on April 23, 2012 by Ray Johnson

Napa Cellars, Carneros, Dyer Vineyard, Syrah 2009 This is a sweet smelling Syrah, forecasting ripe fruit on the palate. That comes through without a doubt, with loads of berries and a very supple texture. A bonus to the experience is … Continue reading →

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Robert Hall Rose 2010

Posted on March 19, 2011 by Ray Johnson

Robert Hall, Paso Robles, Hall Ranch, Rose de Robles 2010 Don Brady truly captures the essence of fresh red fruit in the nose of this wine – very fresh. In the mouth you’ll find the body of rose from the … Continue reading →

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Brokenwood Shiraz 2007

Posted on December 13, 2010 by Ray Johnson

Brokenwood, Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Shiraz 2007 The nose of this wine combines the sweetness of a caramel dessert and the spiciness of black pepper. In the mouth it is quite supple, a little earthy and tasting of tangy cherries. … Continue reading →

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Clarendon Hills Piggot Range Syrah 2005

Posted on August 23, 2010 by Ray Johnson

Clarendon Hills, Clarendon, Piggot Range, Syrah 2005 The nose shows smoky oak and sweet black fruit. In the mouth the fruit is quite expressive and ripe, with an extremely silky texture and great length.  It’s a treat to taste a … Continue reading →

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California Syrah

Posted on July 28, 2010 by Ray Johnson

JC Cellars, Santa Barbara County, Fess Parker’s Vineyard, Syrah 2007 Give this wine a bit of air, 10 minutes or so to blow off a bit of reductive character. Then the black fruit will emerge, wrapped in a jacket of … Continue reading →

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Mordoree Cotes-Du-Rhone 2008

Posted on July 27, 2010 by Ray Johnson

Domaine de la Mordorée Côtes-Du-Rhône “La Dame Rousse” 2008 Give this some air to blow off the stink. Then with 15 minutes the black pepper and red fruits will emerge. In the mouth it is overtly fruity and quite structured, … Continue reading →

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Thorn-Clarke Shotfire Shiraz 2008

Posted on July 27, 2010 by Ray Johnson

Thorn-Clarke, Barossa, Shotfire, Shiraz 2008 This is oak city, smelling of freshly split logs and coconut. On the palate the theme continues, quite rich, with ripe tannins and a nice sense of acidity. The grapes are sourced from the family’s … Continue reading →

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Mollydooker Goose Bumps 2006

Posted on July 20, 2010 by Ray Johnson

Mollydooker, South Australia, Goose Bumps, Sparkling Shiraz 2006 In the nose the oak makes a statement with sweet black fruit. The texture in the mouth is masterful, actually velvety displaying the flavors of blackberry, coffee and freshly-split oak. Proprietors Sarah … Continue reading →

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Alain Graillot Crozes Hermitage 2008

Posted on July 19, 2010 by Ray Johnson

Alain Graillot, Crozes Hermitage 2008 This vintage features lots of black pepper and a structured palate, with long acidity and a commensurate amount of tannin. For some there will be too much of a memory of Band-Aids and the dentist … Continue reading →

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