Category Archives: Syrah

Scala Dei Cartoixa 2003

Scala Dei, Priorat, Cartoixa 2003 I found this bottle rattling around in the cellar and was delighted to have the opportunity to taste it again. A few years ago it was still rather tannic and while good, I knew that … Continue reading

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Penfolds Club Reserve Aged Tawny

Penfolds, South Australia, Club Reserve, Aged Tawny nv In the nose you’ll find raisins and butterscotch with a sense of the spirit in the background. This all carries on in the mouth with nuttiness, sweetness and well-integrated alcohol. Like the value-oriented … Continue reading

Posted in Australia, Fortified dessert, Grenache, Mourvedre, Port, South Australia, Syrah, Tawny Port | Tagged | Leave a comment

Domaine Hauvette Rouge

Domaine Hauvette, Les Baux de Provence 2004 The nose of the ’04 features fresh and dried fruits, floral notes and the herbs of the Provencal landscape. In the mouth you’ll find structure to marry with dinner and a bit of … Continue reading

Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon, France, Grenache, Les Baux de Provence, Provence, Syrah | 2 Comments

Domaine de Trevallon 2006

Domaine de Trevallon, Vin de Pays des Bouches du Rhone 2006 As in the previous vintage, there is a New World ripeness to the fruit expressed in the nose, sweet and intense. In the mouth it is a tannic, mouth-gripping … Continue reading

Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon, Provence, Syrah, Vin de Pays des Bouches du Rhone | 1 Comment

Rose 2009 from Mordoree and Ojai

This flight is a great comparison of two different approaches to rose, one with rapier-like acidity and the other with a broad and weighty mouthfeel. The Ojai Vineyard, California, Rose 2009 This rose shows an expression of citrus and cherries … Continue reading

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Rhone blends from California and Chateauneuf-du-Pape

Tablas Creek Vineyard, Paso Robles, Cotes de Tablas 2008 The fruit is fresh and lively in the nose, with floral notes and sweet spice. In the mouth it is medium-bodied, very fruity and structured, making it a winner with grilled … Continue reading

Posted in California, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Counoise, Grenache, Mourvedre, Paso Robles, Rhône, Rhone Blend, Syrah | Tagged | Leave a comment

Syrah from California and Cote-Rotie

This flight of Syrah takes us from the freshness of new fruit in California, to the development of bottle bouquet in wines from 2003 – excellent all around, featuring different expressions of the same grape over time and over both … Continue reading

Posted in California, Cote-Rotie, Russian River Valley, Santa Barbara County, Santa Ynez Valley, Sonoma County, Syrah | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Domaine de la Mordoree Rose 2009

Domaine de la Mordoree, Cotes-du-Rhone, La Dame Rousse, Rose 2009 In the nose you’ll find red fruits, like cherries and a bit of strawberry that carries through on a broad, lowish acid palate. The grapes behind this pink wine are … Continue reading

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Storrs Rhone Red 2006

Storrs, Santa Clara County, Two Creek Vineyard, Red Wine 2006 The nose features a big heft of vanilla and freshly split oak. The oaky flavors carry through on the palate, with ripe black fruit and warmth. I can’t believe as … Continue reading

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Chateau Vignelaure

I was fortunate to visit Chateau Vignelaure back in the 80s – was it ’84 or ’85?  Some of my memories are fuzzy. The memory that isn’t fuzzy however, is that Vignelaure was a trend setter, planting Cabernet Sauvignon in … Continue reading

Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon, Coteaux d'Aix en Provence, France, Provence, Syrah | Tagged | Leave a comment