Thoughts on 2009 Anthill Farms Syrah ??

The 2008 Windsor Oaks Vineyard syrah from Anthill Farms is a terrific wine IMO, and has been from the moment of release. It is elegant, refined, balanced, and complex. It has a delicate texture, but is intense on the palate and the long, delicate finish. Love it, love it.

Last week I opened the AHF 2009’s from Peters Vineyard and Campbell Ranch Vineyard. I really didn’t have a chance to focus on either wine in that social setting, but neither wine made much of an impression from my few brief sips. So last night I opened both again. The Campbell Ranch was corked, unfortunately. The Peters again seemed very disappointing compared to the stellar '08 Winsor Oaks wine I have enjoyed multiple times. The '09 Peters syrah was tasty but straightforward, fruity, and simple. I really did not get a sense of whether the wine will improve. Borderline between good and excellent, about 87/100.

I’m interested in any other impressions of these 2009 syrahs fron Anthill Farms. Did I just miss 'em?

Funny I just opened the 09 Sonoma Coast last night and I can’t square my tasting with the CT notes - thus I came searching for Anthill feedback here… The SC was a mouthful of black pepper - almost overwhelmed by it - as well as coming across as somewhat acidic. I didn’t get as much of the fruit as many of the CT reviews said.

I haven’t opened any SVDs as I wanted to give them more time to rest in the cellar.

As a point of reference, I tend to prefer syrahs with meaty versus pepper characteristics, in a leaner style versus big bold fruit.

It is quite possible that 2008 was a better year than 2009 for syrah unless they picked early enough in 2009 to avoid the Oct storm. But if they picked early that might also explain why they are a bit restrained as syrah is often picked late in Oct in cool years.
Btw I always had the impression that black pepper aromatics came from a cool vintage or from picking a little early.

Interesting. I thought the 09 Sonoma Coast was fantastic- fruit, minerals, acid and structure were all sublime and in balance. I wasn’t expecting much and thought the bottle overdelivered, but I seem to be in the minority on Cellartracker as well.

Small world, I just had a bottle of 08 Anthill Farms Windsor Oaks Syrah last night. It was quite good (and a steal at around $20 or so, if I remember correctly); I won’t try to expand on Lew’s description, which I agree with.

But I don’t buy or drink very much California syrah, and I haven’t tried the 2009s. I think I might have ordered one bottle of syrah.

I love AF syrahs, especially for the price. I went in for 2 cases of the 2008, which i believe was released at $16. I enjoy the balance, acid, aromatics, and delicate mouthfeel.

Ive had each of the 2009s (at pick up and then again more recently). They were drinking pretty well during the pick-up in November, with the Peters being the most impressive. Tried them again last month and found them all to be pretty tightly wound even after a couple hours in a decanter. Aromatics on the Peters were interesting - suggested a much bigger and fruit forward wine, which didnt match the palate at all.

2008 has been great all around. Have not had a bad bottle.

I’ve had mixed experiences with the 2007s. A year ago, they were pretty shut down. 6 months ago, it was showing a lot more alcohol than fruit (not sure if this was a flawwed bottle). Opened another about a month ago and everyone loved it.

The SC opened up quite a bit more last night. Still very pepper-ey, but the fruit started to show through. Its still pretty strongly dominated up by the acid, though.

The next one is going for a long rest, even if it’s the appellation blend. And unless I hear otherwise (here), I’m not going to touch my other 09’s for a couple years, at least.