2005 P.B. Hein Vineyards Syrah Trailblazer Vernasco Vineyard

WINE TALK
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Since so many of you jumped at the BerserkerDeal, I would love to hear feedback/tasting notes on PB Hein.

Here is what was posted in CT since the wine started arriving along with Richard Jennings original tasting note from 2008.

Tasted by yonster24 on 1/28/2010: Good, if not fantastic. Still, for the 5 dollar tariff, a wonderful QPR, everyday drinking wine. Geting a ton of Mocha/oak on the nose. More red fruit than dark fruit with the mocha really coming through again on the Pallate. Medium Bodied with very good balance with bright acidity and fine tannins on a medium/long finish. My only real complaint is the strong use of oak to me. Hopefully it will integrate more with a few months of age. Nonetheless, I still thought it was a nice bottle for the price.

Tasted by hudamang on 1/27/2010 & rated 90 points: Still cold from my wineberserker purchase, I popped and poured. On the palate, this had a combination of red and dark fruits and spice. Definitely not a fruit bomb, this showed good acidity and a medium finish. Glad to purchase these at such a great price.

Tasted by jhannah27 on 1/27/2010 & rated 85 points: Nose shows fairly primary notes of sweet red and blackberries, some all spice, tobacco and a touch of tar. On the lighter side of medium weight which was surprising for 14.9% ABV. Surprisingly balanced considering the alcohol levels. Flavors pretty much mirrored the nose with a lot of the candied fruit and spice taking the forefront. My biggest gripe would be that I wished there was more of a white pepper aspect to it that I enjoy in Syrah, but for the $5 I paid for this on special through the WineBerserkers.com message board, I certainly will not complain. 85 points at this price is a big winner in my book.

Tasted by Richard Jennings on 8/25/2008 & rated 91 points: Family Winemakers San Francisco; 8/24/2008-8/25/2008 (Fort Mason, San Francisco): Pepper and olive nose; tasty black fruit; medium finish 91+ pts.

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I have already gone through 3 bottles of this. It’s a bit simple, but certainly tasty and easy drinking.

Looks like I am a bit more strict about my scoring, but going by the scale laid out on CT 85-89 is “Very Good to Excellent,” and I believe this wine is “very good,” especially for the price.

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  • 2005 P.B. Hein Vineyards Syrah Trailblazer Vernasco Vineyard - USA, California, North Coast (3/8/2010)
    Dark garnet with some orange hints on the meniscus. Exudes sweet, deep and rich aromas of roasted cocoa beans, espresso and blackberry syrup. Surprisingly, it’s not heavy or cloying on the palate with sweet black cherry and peppery notes. A bit of heat comes through on the finish. Drank better when it was a little cooler (from the cellar). Nonetheless, to sum it up, it’s a “yum” wine at twice the price paid. (87 pts.)

Posted from CellarTracker on GrapeStories.com

Thanks again for this Dave. [welldone.gif]

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I think the wine is solid and very glad I purchased a case.

The first bottle I got pretty excited but I think the excitement came from the price point.

The second bottle was nice but forgettable the next day. I think the fruit is very solid but again pretty simple. I’m glad that oak does not get in the way. I truly don’t think you can get a better wine for under $10 so the deal is crazy good.

Thanks again for putting this together. I look forward to the rest over the next few years!!

Ryan

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My Girlfriend and I have blown through 8 bottles since I got them and we love this wine! Solid 90 pt wine, wish I had bought three cases of this instead of 2.

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And I wish I had bought 2 instead of 1!

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Todd, I meant 1, that is all I bought!

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I am so glad that everyone liked the PB Hein Syrah. Our lil winery makes 6 different labels. and we have some great ideas to let you the public know whats available to you. Hopefully as our winery grows, we can make our wines available to you at your local wine shop or restaurant as well.

-dave

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3/22/2010:
– popped and poured –
– tasted non-blind over 3 hours –

NOSE: an expressive “dark” bouquet: strong olive; smoke; prunes; oak; dates; not complex.

BODY: mahogany color of medium-deep depth with some slight bricking throughout (I don’t expect a Syrah this young to look like it has any age on it - this one does) medium bodied; clear.

TASTE: very tart; definitely on the acidic side of well-balanced between acid and tannin; a bit hot in the belly, but no alcohol taste (14.9% abv); dried fruit flavors of raisins and prunes; not complex; hole at the front of the mid-palate; some oak; medium length finish (42 sec.); a hint of spice; distractingly tart (acidified?).

B: 50, 4, 12, 12, 5 = 83

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NOSE: nice nose: smoky/roasted earthy; some red fruits; oak - roasted caramel/chocolate; faint hint of wet cement.

BODY: clear; mahogany-tinged ruby color of medium-deep depth; medium to medium-full bodied.

TASTE: acidic (but not as acidic as last bottle was); lots of oak; alcohol taste is noticeable; a bit sweet; soft tannins; some pure red berry flavor – not as baked tasting as the previous bottle; this is the best of 6 bottles so far.

B: 50, 5, 11, 14, 6 = 86 (86 pts.)

Posted from CellarTracker

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Dave, I didn’t take any formal notes, but I’ve gone through 4 bottles already. I agree that for me it falls in the very good category. I don’t tend to score my own wines, but from what I’m used to I’d say it hovers near the 89 90 range. It’s just a very nice daily drinker to me. I’ve served to many people, all with different levels of wine dorkery (did i just make that up) and all have liked it. Some more than others, but no one has disliked it. My father and our neighbor are the wine’s biggest fans. He always says, “Can you open some of that Syrah I like” and that means the PB Hein! Gonna suck for him when they’re all gone!

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NOSE: black olive; smoke; smells like the wine is going to be acidic or sour; non-descript dark berries, or perhaps plum; expressive; maple sugar note gains strength with air exposure.

BODY: some superfine particulate matter present; medium-light to medium bodied; mahogany-garnet color of medium depth.

TASTE: very acidic; slightly roasted flavor; olive; some oak; oak comes out more with air; tart; hint of heat on the back-end; 14.9% alc.; approx. 30 - 35 sec. finish of moderate intensity; slight coffee note comes through on the finish. This bottle was right in line with others I’ve had.

B: 50, 5, 11, 14, 5 = (85 pts.)

Posted from CellarTracker