SYRAH & SHIRAZ TASTING - Gary’s Place, Minneapolis (12/8/2018)
Fun event with some new wine drinkers from the Twin Cities. We did the first 4 non blind to get a feel for the regions. The last 4 were blind and almost all the wines got some love which does not happen often at events.
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2015 Emmanuel Darnaud Crozes-Hermitage Les Trois Chênes - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Crozes-Hermitage
This is a big style wine for Northern Rhone standards. Perfume wine with Garrique, stone, mint and roasted meat. Great flavor profile. This is a winner for the price point.
Recommendation: Buy more! Decanted 1 hour. (91 pts.) -
2014 K Vintners Syrah Rock Garden - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley
Outstanding wine with black olives, stones, subtle floral notes, red currants and white pepper. Really balanced wine and Rhone like. This would be an interesting 3 day wine review wine to see where this goes but this 3 ounce pour tells me this will be a winner for years to come! Decanted 3 hours. (93 pts.) -
2009 Paul Hobbs Syrah Kick Ranch - USA, California, Sonoma County
This is high octane Syrah and in a good way. Blackberries, tar, blueberries, violets and crushed rock. Medium to long finish and flavors are amazing. This vineyard is one of my favorites in California. Should drink well for the next 5 years. Decanted 1.5 hours. (92 pts.) -
2012 Shirvington Shiraz - Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale
Day 1: Rich wine with floral, chocolate, mint, black fruits and pepper. Very concentrated wine and tasty. Not an over the top fruit bomb with big alcohol. Should develop over time. 91 points
Day 2: Muted fruit. More earth elements and pepper. Medium finish. Not as good as day 1. 87 points
Day 3: Soy, charcoal, floral and white pepper. You really need to taste this to get the flavors out of it. It is balanced and nice. I like the flavor profile and the lack of alcohol and over ripe fruit some Aussie wines are known for. 91 points
Recommendation: I would sit on these a few more years and sample in 2020. I think these have a long window ahead of them. (91 pts.) -
2011 Booker Vineyard Syrah Fracture - USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles
Outstanding wine and really drinking well. Decanted one hour. Smooth and polished with violets, raspberries, spice, pepper and dust. Balanced and good acidity. This wine should drink well for another five plus years. Outstanding Paso Robles Syrah. (94 pts.) -
2008 Grand Rêve Vintners Collaboration Series III Ciel du Cheval Vineyard - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Red Mountain
High octane stuff with black fruits, gravel, violets, roasted meat and tar. This was decanted one hour and maybe needed more time. This should drink well for another 5 plus years. (91 pts.) -
2003 E. Guigal Hermitage - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage
Excellent place right now with roasted meat, tar, white pepper, burnt toast and raspberries. Concentrated wine and balanced. Medium to long finish. Drink now to 2022. (93 pts.) -
2005 Glaetzer Godolphin - Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley
Not what I was hoping for. Extracted fruit which was not the case the last time I drank this. A little heat and floral notes. Medium plus finish but lacks consistency. Would pass on buying this but if you own it wait til 2020 and beyond. Decanted 2 hours. (87 pts.)
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