Syrah Saturday - Pax, Big Basin X2, Copain

WINE TALK
1
  • 2006 Pax Syrah Kobler Family Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (1/30/2010)
    Popped and poured, drank over two hours. Smoky, gamy, earthy, a very vibrant nose. Blue fruits and roasted meat on the palate, a bit tart. Nicely balanced with wonderful acidity.
  • 2006 Big Basin Vineyards Syrah Mandala - USA, California, San Francisco Bay, Santa Cruz Mountains (1/30/2010)
    Popped and poured, drank over three hours. Deep, rich nose of smoky meats and baking spices. Black fruits seared on a cast iron skillet. That great richness typical of Big Basin syrahs, smooth, elegant and balanced.
  • 2003 Big Basin Vineyards Syrah Rattlesnake Rock - USA, California, San Francisco Bay, Santa Cruz Mountains (1/30/2010)
    Popped and poured, enjoyed over three hours. Bloody, beefy, dark fruit. Iron, minerals, iodine, black plums, black fig, road tar, wild game. This is insanely good. Such intensity. So much going on in this wine. A real treat.
  • 2006 Copain Syrah Harrison Clarke - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Ynez Valley (1/30/2010)
    Popped and poured, drank over two hours. Black olives, black fruits, baking spice. Great salinity, menthol, herbs. Dark fruits, smoky, earthy wine. Understated and delicious.

Posted from CellarTracker

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Great lineup. I have a singleton of the 03 Rattlesnake and was thinking it would be peaking in 2010-2012. Thoughts? Your note is mouth-watering.

3

All I can say is “wow”! Another Pilgrim on a syrahathon! I have one '03 Big Basin Rattlesnake left - that wine was insane!

Great notes Brian!

4

I don’t believe I have any of Wells’ Harrison Clarke in the cellar…I’ll need to do something about that. This is the second very good note I have read on this wine in as many days.

5

Looks like a great tasting. Envious of your 03 BB. Did the Pax show much reduction?

6

Scott,

It was outrageously good. Drink it anytime in the next two years and you will be rewarded.

Anthony,

None at all. It was a fresh, vibrant, well balanced wine.

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When I had the 2003 Big Basin RR late last summer, it needed at least 2.5 hours in the decanter to come around. Tight and tannic upon opening, so if opening don’t even bother to waste a taste until later. Between 2.5-3 hours (it didn’t last long!), it was amazing, and I was left licking the legs off the glass after the last sip. If drinking now, be prepared for at least 2-3 hours of decanting.

For some reason, Bradley’s fruit seems to suck up oak without a lot of negative impact. That said, although I’m the last person to guess about aging potential, I bet this wine will easily go past 2012. I’m in no hurry to drink my last two 2003’s.

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Andrew,

This was primed and ready from the moment I pulled the cork. I’d agree that this wine has more than two years left in it.