TNs: Of Course..Copain, Carlisle , Saxum and Jemrose....and gulp....Rayas, too!!

Frank_Murray_III · October 22, 2009, 2:58am

Got to steal away for a quick weekend in the Bay Area. Took some time to visit Jemrose (Jim Mack’s estate in Bennett Valley), as well as swing by and see Wells at the winery (where the syrah tanks were all going with fruit). Got to bring with me or taste my stand by favorites but also got my first crack at Rayas. I have often said openly I don’t get greanche or the buzz about it but I think I can be persuaded to drink Rayas–thank you Jim.

2003 Carlisle Syrah Unfiltered Bennett Valley - USA, California, Sonoma County, Bennett Valley (10/19/2009)
Upon returning from the Bay Area last night, today was my SIL’s birthday. He wanted a syrah and after tasting this wine just this past Saturday, hell, why not again. Consistent showing–blueberry juice, fruit bowl and zin-like. You know, forgetting typicity and site, this wine hit the spot and my SIL and I enjoyed it. A sh#tload of sediment at the last glass but ready to drink. Don’t age further. Drink and enjoy for what it is, leave the expectations about what it should be somewhere else.
2004 Copain Syrah Garys’ Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands (10/18/2009)
Open for a full night. Lighter in flavor and weight than I expected. Under brush, some stem, smooth in texture and polished. Finishes with some leathery blue fruit, tang and crushed/juicy. Needs another year but in the end, more elegant and lean.
2004 Copain Syrah Cailloux & Coccinelle - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley (10/17/2009)
Big aromatics of menthol, eucalyptus and bacon fat/lard. Reminds me some of the Cayuse I had recently.
2005 Château Rayas Châteauneuf-du-Pape Reserve - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape (10/17/2009)
Never had a Rayas before, thank you Jim Mack. When first opened, some of the table humor was about ass and stable…for me, it wore off with air. Pepper, a unique aroma, sweaty. Rose, more pale red in color. Palate shows a dried raspberry, mint, clove. A sweet edge that lingers with a red fruit compote. With an overnight decant, the funk aroma is gone. Silky and a really long finish with red fruit, saddle and herb.
2005 Copain Syrah Garys’ Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands (10/17/2009)
Darker and full of stuffing. Menthol, dark fruit, and more into the blue/black spectrum. Interesting for this Garys’, some floral tones on the bouquet. Char, smoky tones against rich fruit. Richer styled, too. Can drink now or wait to let some of the richness and whole cluster integrate.
2005 Copain Syrah James Berry Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles (10/17/2009)
Lots of flavor here but finish with some chalk–the limestone speaks? Black fruit but not meant say gloppy or sweet. Some mineral and finishing intensity of fruit and some acid. Clearly CA but well placed for more aging. This bottle was open 24 hours and reflects the life ahead–start drinking in later 2010.
2005 Saxum James Berry Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles (10/17/2009)
Pop and pour, with the wistful intent of leaving some wine for dinner late, god forbid…decant away. We’ll see. Garrique like herb/underbrush aroma. Powerful flavors, intense palate with a spicy finish of licorice, campfire, blueberry and anise.
2007 Jemrose Grenache Foggy Knoll - USA, California, Sonoma County, Bennett Valley (10/17/2009)
Similar to what I tasted in June. Hint of pepper, herb on the nose. Raspberry, cherry, strawberry and a coating of leathery light to medium tannin on the finish. Give the wine more time…summer 2010.

Posted from CellarTracker

M_Dildine · October 22, 2009, 3:00am

Frank Murray III:

Got to steal away for a quick weekend in the Bay Area. Took some time to visit Jemrose (Jim Mack’s estate in Bennett Valley), as well as swing by and see Wells at the winery (where the syrah tanks were all going with fruit). Got to bring with me or taste my stand by favorites but also got my first crack at Rayas. I have often said openly I don’t get greanche or the buzz about it but I think I can be persuaded to drink Rayas–thank you Jim.

2003 Carlisle Syrah Unfiltered Bennett Valley - USA, California, Sonoma County, Bennett Valley (10/19/2009)
Upon returning from the Bay Area last night, today was my SIL’s birthday. He wanted a syrah and after tasting this wine just this past Saturday, hell, why not again. Consistent showing–blueberry juice, fruit bowl and zin-like. You know, forgetting typicity and site, this wine hit the spot and my SIL and I enjoyed it. A sh#tload of sediment at the last glass but ready to drink. Don’t age further. Drink and enjoy for what it is, leave the expectations about what it should be somewhere else.

2004 Copain Syrah Garys’ Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands (10/18/2009)
Open for a full night. Lighter in flavor and weight than I expected. Under brush, some stem, smooth in texture and polished. Finishes with some leathery blue fruit, tang and crushed/juicy. Needs another year but in the end, more elegant and lean.

2004 Copain Syrah Cailloux & Coccinelle - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley (10/17/2009)
Big aromatics of menthol, eucalyptus and bacon fat/lard. Reminds me some of the Cayuse I had recently.

2005 Château Rayas Châteauneuf-du-Pape Reserve - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape (10/17/2009)
Never had a Rayas before, thank you Jim Mack. When first opened, some of the table humor was about ass and stable…for me, it wore off with air. Pepper, a unique aroma, sweaty. Rose, more pale red in color. Palate shows a dried raspberry, mint, clove. A sweet edge that lingers with a red fruit compote. With an overnight decant, the funk aroma is gone. Silky and a really long finish with red fruit, saddle and herb.

2005 Copain Syrah Garys’ Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands (10/17/2009)
Darker and full of stuffing. Menthol, dark fruit, and more into the blue/black spectrum. Interesting for this Garys’, some floral tones on the bouquet. Char, smoky tones against rich fruit. Richer styled, too. Can drink now or wait to let some of the richness and whole cluster integrate.

2005 Copain Syrah James Berry Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles (10/17/2009)
Lots of flavor here but finish with some chalk–the limestone speaks? Black fruit but not meant say gloppy or sweet. Some mineral and finishing intensity of fruit and some acid. Clearly CA but well placed for more aging. This bottle was open 24 hours and reflects the life ahead–start drinking in later 2010.

2005 Saxum James Berry Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles (10/17/2009)
Pop and pour, with the wistful intent of leaving some wine for dinner late, god forbid…decant away. We’ll see. Garrique like herb/underbrush aroma. Powerful flavors, intense palate with a spicy finish of licorice, campfire, blueberry and anise.

2007 Jemrose Grenache Foggy Knoll - USA, California, Sonoma County, Bennett Valley (10/17/2009)
Similar to what I tasted in June. Hint of pepper, herb on the nose. Raspberry, cherry, strawberry and a coating of leathery light to medium tannin on the finish. Give the wine more time…summer 2010.

Posted from CellarTracker

What’s with the CdP Frank? Are you going soft???

Frank_Murray_III · October 22, 2009, 3:29am

M. Dildine:

Frank Murray III:

Got to steal away for a quick weekend in the Bay Area. Took some time to visit Jemrose (Jim Mack’s estate in Bennett Valley), as well as swing by and see Wells at the winery (where the syrah tanks were all going with fruit). Got to bring with me or taste my stand by favorites but also got my first crack at Rayas. I have often said openly I don’t get greanche or the buzz about it but I think I can be persuaded to drink Rayas–thank you Jim.

2003 Carlisle Syrah Unfiltered Bennett Valley - USA, California, Sonoma County, Bennett Valley (10/19/2009)
Upon returning from the Bay Area last night, today was my SIL’s birthday. He wanted a syrah and after tasting this wine just this past Saturday, hell, why not again. Consistent showing–blueberry juice, fruit bowl and zin-like. You know, forgetting typicity and site, this wine hit the spot and my SIL and I enjoyed it. A sh#tload of sediment at the last glass but ready to drink. Don’t age further. Drink and enjoy for what it is, leave the expectations about what it should be somewhere else.

2004 Copain Syrah Garys’ Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands (10/18/2009)
Open for a full night. Lighter in flavor and weight than I expected. Under brush, some stem, smooth in texture and polished. Finishes with some leathery blue fruit, tang and crushed/juicy. Needs another year but in the end, more elegant and lean.

2004 Copain Syrah Cailloux & Coccinelle - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley (10/17/2009)
Big aromatics of menthol, eucalyptus and bacon fat/lard. Reminds me some of the Cayuse I had recently.

2005 Château Rayas Châteauneuf-du-Pape Reserve - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape (10/17/2009)
Never had a Rayas before, thank you Jim Mack. When first opened, some of the table humor was about ass and stable…for me, it wore off with air. Pepper, a unique aroma, sweaty. Rose, more pale red in color. Palate shows a dried raspberry, mint, clove. A sweet edge that lingers with a red fruit compote. With an overnight decant, the funk aroma is gone. Silky and a really long finish with red fruit, saddle and herb.

2005 Copain Syrah Garys’ Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands (10/17/2009)
Darker and full of stuffing. Menthol, dark fruit, and more into the blue/black spectrum. Interesting for this Garys’, some floral tones on the bouquet. Char, smoky tones against rich fruit. Richer styled, too. Can drink now or wait to let some of the richness and whole cluster integrate.

2005 Copain Syrah James Berry Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles (10/17/2009)
Lots of flavor here but finish with some chalk–the limestone speaks? Black fruit but not meant say gloppy or sweet. Some mineral and finishing intensity of fruit and some acid. Clearly CA but well placed for more aging. This bottle was open 24 hours and reflects the life ahead–start drinking in later 2010.

2005 Saxum James Berry Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles (10/17/2009)
Pop and pour, with the wistful intent of leaving some wine for dinner late, god forbid…decant away. We’ll see. Garrique like herb/underbrush aroma. Powerful flavors, intense palate with a spicy finish of licorice, campfire, blueberry and anise.

2007 Jemrose Grenache Foggy Knoll - USA, California, Sonoma County, Bennett Valley (10/17/2009)
Similar to what I tasted in June. Hint of pepper, herb on the nose. Raspberry, cherry, strawberry and a coating of leathery light to medium tannin on the finish. Give the wine more time…summer 2010.

Posted from CellarTracker

What’s with the CdP Frank? Are you going soft???

Damn Jim Mack…he forced me to drink it.

ToddFrench · October 22, 2009, 3:31am

Careful, Frankie…those Franco-wines can make for a slippery slope!!! What will you do with the hundreds of bottles of CA Syrah that makes up your cellar??

Frank_Murray_III · October 22, 2009, 4:13am

Uh, drink them and buy more of them, Frenchenstein.

larry_schaffer · October 22, 2009, 4:18am

FM111,

You be living the good life, my friend!!! When do you plan on making it back up MY way???

Cheers!

Tyler_Rico · October 22, 2009, 12:27pm

Frank Murray III:

M. Dildine:

Frank Murray III:

Got to steal away for a quick weekend in the Bay Area. Took some time to visit Jemrose (Jim Mack’s estate in Bennett Valley), as well as swing by and see Wells at the winery (where the syrah tanks were all going with fruit). Got to bring with me or taste my stand by favorites but also got my first crack at Rayas. I have often said openly I don’t get greanche or the buzz about it but I think I can be persuaded to drink Rayas–thank you Jim.

2003 Carlisle Syrah Unfiltered Bennett Valley - USA, California, Sonoma County, Bennett Valley (10/19/2009)
Upon returning from the Bay Area last night, today was my SIL’s birthday. He wanted a syrah and after tasting this wine just this past Saturday, hell, why not again. Consistent showing–blueberry juice, fruit bowl and zin-like. You know, forgetting typicity and site, this wine hit the spot and my SIL and I enjoyed it. A sh#tload of sediment at the last glass but ready to drink. Don’t age further. Drink and enjoy for what it is, leave the expectations about what it should be somewhere else.

2004 Copain Syrah Garys’ Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands (10/18/2009)
Open for a full night. Lighter in flavor and weight than I expected. Under brush, some stem, smooth in texture and polished. Finishes with some leathery blue fruit, tang and crushed/juicy. Needs another year but in the end, more elegant and lean.

2004 Copain Syrah Cailloux & Coccinelle - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley (10/17/2009)
Big aromatics of menthol, eucalyptus and bacon fat/lard. Reminds me some of the Cayuse I had recently.

2005 Château Rayas Châteauneuf-du-Pape Reserve - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape (10/17/2009)
Never had a Rayas before, thank you Jim Mack. When first opened, some of the table humor was about ass and stable…for me, it wore off with air. Pepper, a unique aroma, sweaty. Rose, more pale red in color. Palate shows a dried raspberry, mint, clove. A sweet edge that lingers with a red fruit compote. With an overnight decant, the funk aroma is gone. Silky and a really long finish with red fruit, saddle and herb.

2005 Copain Syrah Garys’ Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands (10/17/2009)
Darker and full of stuffing. Menthol, dark fruit, and more into the blue/black spectrum. Interesting for this Garys’, some floral tones on the bouquet. Char, smoky tones against rich fruit. Richer styled, too. Can drink now or wait to let some of the richness and whole cluster integrate.

2005 Copain Syrah James Berry Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles (10/17/2009)
Lots of flavor here but finish with some chalk–the limestone speaks? Black fruit but not meant say gloppy or sweet. Some mineral and finishing intensity of fruit and some acid. Clearly CA but well placed for more aging. This bottle was open 24 hours and reflects the life ahead–start drinking in later 2010.

2005 Saxum James Berry Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles (10/17/2009)
Pop and pour, with the wistful intent of leaving some wine for dinner late, god forbid…decant away. We’ll see. Garrique like herb/underbrush aroma. Powerful flavors, intense palate with a spicy finish of licorice, campfire, blueberry and anise.

2007 Jemrose Grenache Foggy Knoll - USA, California, Sonoma County, Bennett Valley (10/17/2009)
Similar to what I tasted in June. Hint of pepper, herb on the nose. Raspberry, cherry, strawberry and a coating of leathery light to medium tannin on the finish. Give the wine more time…summer 2010.

Posted from CellarTracker

What’s with the CdP Frank? Are you going soft???

Damn Jim Mack…he forced me to drink it.

Never mind CDP, he drinks something French!

jimmack · October 22, 2009, 2:42pm

Frank,

It always starts with one taste…then another…then another. Soon you will be knocking on my door asking if I have more CNDP in my cellar.

Frank_Murray_III · October 22, 2009, 11:06pm

There is a pecking order, Mr. Mack. As follows:

Cardiac Hill
CdP

Don’t circumvent the order of selection, plz. BTW, the Rayas thing, it’s all YOUR fault. [pillow-fight.gif]

M_Dildine · October 23, 2009, 3:40am

Guillaume_Deschamps · October 23, 2009, 8:39am

“You will be assimilated. Resistance is futile.”

M_Dildine · October 23, 2009, 1:43pm

He’s already been to the Mountaintop Guillaume. Don’t count on it.

Tom_Gutting · October 23, 2009, 7:09pm

Well done, Frank. Nothing wrong with branching out once in a while. Hey, I posted a couple Bordeaux notes recently … I’m with you!

Paul_Jaouen · October 23, 2009, 7:47pm

Now you need to try a mature Rayas… '89 or '90 should do.

Frank_Murray_III · October 24, 2009, 12:19am

What, isn’t a 2005 ready to go? What would an 89 or 90 set me back, Paul?

Gutting, 2 bottles is fine, more than that…we will have to call in some help for you.

M_Dildine · October 24, 2009, 3:09am

Frank_Murray_III · January 21, 2019, 11:54pm

10 years later and I still can’t find a glass of french wine in Mike D’s hands. Mike, you have been a hard one to convert!

Mike_Grammer · January 22, 2019, 6:33pm

Ahhh, Frankie. Remember my motto—“I hate Grenache”. I never include Rayas when I say that. Rayas is gorgeous stuff. Glad you got a chance to try your first.