I like the diversity of syrah, and this site is pretty cool, up on the corner of Bennett Valley, not too far from Joe Judge’s place, and across the slope from Jim Mack’s place, Jemrose. I’ve hung onto a couple of these for a while now, still having one bottle of the 05 left, too. I grabbed this 2006 the other night, I knew I would find the herbal and savory qualities that Ed put into the making of this cuvee. Found it. It’s gentle, savory, yet brings forward still the dark fruit, too. An interesting combination of flavors, and I suspect it won’t resonate with a down the middle syrah crowd, as the stems really take it in the savory direction. If you got one, try one. Drinking pretty well at this point. Good work, Ed.
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2006 Sandler Wine Company Syrah Connell Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Bennett Valley (3/5/2012)
Open the better part of 3 days, damn near four, this note providing the material for my last glass. Like with Wind Gap, and some of the 05 and 06 Copains, this is where fruit meets stem. The aromatics lean on the edge of syrah, the firnges where you can find smoke, rosemary, then a sweet gamy essence. Medium + weight, with a teriyaki/steak sauce element, along with soy, cooked meat and dark fruit. The palate is nearly fleshed out, and not sure if that’s due to the aeration I allowed this to see or the fact it’s 6 vintages in time, maybe both. Finishes with the same rosemary quality, along with the fresh dark fruit, which shows some rich edges. What’s here is savory and yet flashy, together. I have one bottle left, will drink it in the next year but as a serving advice, I’d serve this to someone who will have context for stem inclusion and what that imparts. That context is key here I believe in order for this wine to be appreciated, one I do very much like.
Posted from CellarTracker