2007 Novy Family Wines Syrah Rosella’s Vineyard- USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands (8/29/2014)
I hate to use terms like varietally correct because many geeks argue that no California wines are varietally correct, but this one is reasonably close, and it has been consistent since purchase in about 4 years ago. I originally tasted this with Adam Lee and Sadat X at Tribeca Grill. I really enjoyed the pepper spice and the somewhat in your face fruit, so I ordered a case. The pepper spice has definitely stood up to time, hence my comment about varietally correct, and the fruit is a bit subdued at this point. My experience with Rosellas Vineyard wines is that they always have a nice spicy component to them - to a greater or lesser degree based, I suppose, on what the winemaker does. This is on the high side and I like the spice. I have enjoyed every bottle. 14.2% ABV. (89 pts.)
NoNoNo, Jay…the ultimate accolade for any wine is that it display terroir, not varietal typicity…if’n you worship at the altar of terroir. But if you worship at the altar of varietal typicity, then…
I had this several Syrah several months ago, and pretty much agree w/ your assessment, Jay. To me, it displays the herbal terroir you get in SLH Syrah. But it also has that peppery character you get in (somewhat) cold-climate Syrah. And it has that lush blackberry/boysenberry character you find in most of Adam’s Syrah. Buying Adam’s Syrahs are a no-brainer. And very reasonably priced.
Tom
A very good point. There was definitely a Rosellas terroir component in the wine. Whether that is the ultimate accolade is a different question. I think the ultimate accolade is that it tasted really F’in awesome. However, I am not sure that pepper is only cold climate. I have had some syrahs from very warm vineyards in Portugal that tasted like the grapes had been dusted with white pepper just before being pressed.