2005 Pax Syrah Griffin’s Lair- USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (11/21/2010)
Decanted 1 hour and consumed over 4 hours. Nose of sweet dark fruits, wood smoke, and alcohol. Great mouthfeel on the palate with dark plummy fruit, but the wood smoke shows through a little too much. The tannins which were very chalky early in this wines life are completely resolved now. This was a good showing, but not great. I remember thinking that if there was a bit more acid it would take it to the next level and then at the 4 hour mark a somewhat artificial maybe acidified note showed up. I don’t think these are going to get much better than they are right now, so I say drink 'em if you got 'em. Nice enough just don’t expect to be blown away.
Thanks for the note, Joe. I have had this one maybe 10 times and always had good luck with it. Last time I had it (with Berserker Mike M.), it was really impressive. Lots of bloody grilled meat. I don’t recall ever thinking this was an overtly “fruity” wine as your note suggests. Maybe some bottle variation? I may have one or two more, so I’ll make a point to post a note the next time I tee one up.
Brad,
This is the 3rd time for me, but it’s been a while. Bloody meat and dusty, earthy tannins are how I would describe the previous bottles. I not so sure I meant to convey that it was an " overtly fruity " wine. I just thought the wood smoke element was a little overwhelming and those dusty, chalky tannins that I loved so much in the past are now gone.
Thanks for clarifying. Reading back, I probably focused too much on the dark plummy fruit descriptor. I think your take on this bottle is interesting in any case. It is not uncommon to read Pax notes that say the wines need lots of cellar time before they show well, but in this case it seems that cellar time has stolen some of the things you liked most about this wine.
