On a cool early June night decided to do a little side by side Syrah action:
2004 Yarra Yering Shiraz Dry Red #2 - Still a darkish ruby, no bricking. Violets, white pepper and sun baked rocks on the nose with just a hint of toffee. Beautiful texture on the palate with a nice blend of dry earthiness as a low note and a high note of sweet cinammon apple. Great balance of elegance and power, not at all the typical Aussie fruit bomb. Just picked up even more pure sweetness on the finish as it opened up. Highly recommended!!!
1997 M. Chapoutier Hermitage La Sizeranne -Starting to show a little bricking around the rim, but still a nice deep ruby color. Olives, earth, cedar and beef blood on the nose. Quite crisp and leathery on the palate with lots of pepper, cedar and dusty earth - more on the austere side of Hermitage with a long finish. Still young