TN: 2006 Cabot Vineyards Syrah Kimberly's (USA, California, North Coast, Humboldt County)

Eric_LeVine · February 5, 2011, 5:24am

One word. Yum!

2006 Cabot Vineyards Syrah Kimberly’s - USA, California, North Coast, Humboldt County (2/4/2011)
Popped and poured. This has moved along very quickly in the past 6-8 months, and man oh man this is showing well! Berries and pepper and sultry smoke on the nose. Lavender and cherry and silk on the palate. Amazingly fresh and bright with zinging acidity. The finish is a bit locked up still and dominated by the structure, but this unwinding in such a beautiful way. Simply lovely. (92 pts.)

Nate_Simon · February 5, 2011, 6:44am

Rapidly becoming a serious fan of the Cabots. Definitely on the terroir tip, and while many draw analogies to the Rhone, I think that their site may have its own thing going on. Truly an exciting, somewhat below-the-radar producer, and yet another reason I am grateful for WB, without whom I might not have been clued in.

Eric_LeVine · February 5, 2011, 6:57am

It is a unique expression of Syrah. Not what I think of as Cali. Not what I think of as Rhone. Yet so clearly Syrah. I too am so grateful to this community and John and Kimberly.

Brian_G_r_a_f_s_t_r_o_m · February 5, 2011, 8:04am

+1. I totally agree with the “not Cali, not Rhone” thing — I might call the style of these wines Cornas-meets-Cali; they have the ripe burly fruit that I associate with CA, but the nice meaty acidic tang that I associate with Cornas. The French element is definitely not CdP or St. Joseph, and I think more Cornas than Hermitage or Cote Rotie. So, ummmm … ta-da!

Loren_Sonkin · February 5, 2011, 2:48pm

Wow, nice note. I am looking forward to getting my Beserker Day wines. I have not tried their wines yet. I am curious as to what the “terroir” presents.

Eric_LeVine · February 5, 2011, 4:40pm

It does occasionally remind me of Allemand.

JoeD · February 5, 2011, 4:51pm

I am picturing wild pigs roaming around the vineyards

brigcampbell · February 5, 2011, 7:17pm

There might be havalina but there’s definitely black bears because John has electric fences around the vineyards. he told me a story about last years fruit and had to let some go so he turned off the fences and in a couple of days the bears had picked it all for him!

John_Cabot · February 5, 2011, 7:20pm

Bears are pigs! But not as tasty.

Loren_Sonkin · February 5, 2011, 8:11pm

So you are saying bear poop is part of the terroir? Maybe it does have something in common with the Rhone.

John_Cabot · February 5, 2011, 8:32pm

Looks like pie filling. Makes nice compost!