2009 Halcon Alturas Syrah

2009 Halcon Alturas Syrah
I was unable to make it to the Thursday blind tasting last week, but Connie said she was going to go anyway to attend to some “girl stuff” with Todd’s wife. I figured this might be a good opportunity to spring the Berserker Day Alturas on the group. I wrapped a bottle up and sent it with her. Later that evening when I got home from work Connie told me that the wine was universally panned at the tasting. [shock.gif] Hmmm? There was about half a bottle left so I poured a glass to accompany some tomato soup I was eating. Tannic, stern and impenetrable. Insert cork and retire the bottle to the counter. Move on to a pile of samples from a distributor’s sales dinner the night before.

Skipped Friday, but watched the Suns beat the Clippers. The wine choices at US Airways Arena suck. I drank Sierra Nevada and Kilt Lifter.

Fast forward to Saturday evening, another glass with a completely different result. The Alturas is almost black with a deep purple edge. The appearance suggests this is serious business. After its 48 hour oxygenation the nose is full of rocks and dark blue fruit. It’s echoed on the palate with sweet blueberries, chiseled minerality and a bit more buttery oak than I like. (Note, I’m an oak-a-phobe) The fruit is thick and pure, not overly sweet or cloying and kept in check by the respectable structure. Alcohol completely integrated with no sign of heat whatsoever. Still a bit tannic, but absolutely transformed and quite delicious with some grilled chicken thighs in an Asian marinade. It comes across as an extremely clean, precise wine devoid of any funk. Not overly complex yet and without the meat, smoke and violets I commonly find in many syrahs. Perfectly balanced.

Sunday night with homemade pizza was pretty much identical to Saturday minus the oak which disappeared. Yea!

I think this has the stuffing and balance to improve and gain complexity with age. I prefer some of that meaty funkiness in syrah and it may come with time. I have three bottles left and may have to score a few more. It will be interesting to follow its evolution over the next decade. A nice wine at a fair price topped off with great personalized service from Paul Gordon and a timely, pleasant e-mail transaction via Valerie Gordon. [cheers.gif]

Thanks for sharing, David. Thrilled to hear about the balance and pumped about the sixer coming my way in a week or so.