2008 Peay Vineyards Syrah La Bruma - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (10/11/2014)
Checking on another half bottle, still inky dark, this shows all kinds of bacon and BBQ notes on the nose, both of which carry through to the otherwise dark, brooding palate, with backward blackberry fruit, simmering intensity, bacon fat, beautiful acidity, still very young, but a beautiful wine now, that should improve over a decade or more. I always find comparisons to N. Rhone dangerous, but I’d like to try this side by side with a warmer vintage Clape, like 2006. 2008 was the year with the severe California fires, and a lot of smoke taint throughout Anderson Valley. While the Peay vineyard is quite a bit south of AV, I can’t help but think some whisps of smoke made it down that way. In this case, just enough to make the wine even more interesting, but it’s definitely there. (93 pts.)
Sure wish I had some of this. Tantalizing notes. I would have expected a Sonoma Coast Syrah to be “cold climate” and refrained, but you’re describing it more like a warm climate wine that is right smack in my wheel house.
Randy, it’s definitely on the “cooler” side, though I think you’d like it. Something can be arranged for you to try it 
Hmmmmmmmm.
Thanks for the TN Alan. The La Bruma is one of my favorite Peays. I have 5 of the 08s downstairs. Perhaps it is time to try one. I got some 04s from Winebid last spring and I’ve been wanting to try one of those. I haven’t had one with that much age on it before.
The 08 Peay pinots definitely have a prominent BBQ/smoky trait. Too much IMO for Pinot but I could see it just adding complexity in the Syrah. Thanks for the note.
Mark, I think I would hold the 08s for now, they will get better. It’s an excellent drink, but still very young. 2004, OTOH, is one you can open now. 04 was a somewhat warmer year. When they were first released (particularly the Titans), they were just buzzing with electric violet fruit, I had a hard time keeping my hands off them. But now they have calmed down, become more “mainstream”, and are in a good place to drink (though no hurry).
This was my experience with recent Peay 08s tasted, though I had the Titans Syrah and not La Bruma. The Syrah was excellent and the Pinot was smokey and awkward.
I opened a 2008 Peay Syrah Titans and it took 2 days after opening to really come alive. At first it was quite dull and no energy. This has been perfectly stored since release, so I was bummed this might have been an early drinker. It also showed no acidity or verve at first. With a small glass on day one and 2 and then vacu sealed, it is now singing on day 3. Alan said buzzing with electric violet fruit - that is a perfect description for this. Just wonderful mulberries and boysenberries mixed in with other brighter berries, but so vibrant and fresh. This is so damn good now, but needs a lot of air to get going.
We had the 05 recently and I usually love this wine but that bottle was just elegant, without any verve. Maybe we have just been enjoying too many Rocks Syrah bottles from NE OR lately.
I had the 06 tonight and it was definitely cooler climate syrah. As with Glenn’s 05, very elegant and perfumed. Great syrah producer.
Here’s what I find wonderful - that you had the patience to make it through days 1 and 2 to make it to day 3, when it was singing.
Too often, I read notes that ‘pan’ a wine upon opening and even throughout a meal, knowing that the wine simply needs more time. It’s good to know that’s not always the case.
Now here’s the challenge - give wines that you would NOT normally give the benefit of this time the benefit and see what happens
Cheers!
Had a 2009 two weeks ago and it was excellent