Jeb Dunnuck 97-100/. I’d say he liked it.
Thank you, Bill! I’m very excited to pick up the Fall release.
You have all mentioned some incredible producers, but if I was on a game show, I would win with a late answer…Dehlinger! Their Syrahs age like like any great bottling from the Northern Rhone (albeit with more up-front fruit). Those familiar with this producer will back me up.
Colin ![[cheers.gif]](/uploads/db3686/original/2X/0/0ff9bfcdb0964982cd3240b6159868fbdf215b1a.gif "cheers"){kind=small}
I won’t. I like Dehlinger and I have a lot of it, but late 90’s Dehlinger has not aged anything like late 90’s Chave. It still drinks very well and the jury is out on where it will go, but I’ve seen no indication that it will become great in the way some N. Rhônes can.
The best aged CA Syrah I’ve had is the 1991 Havens. It really did show some signs of transformation that I haven’t seen in other CA Syrahs, so I still have hope for some of the younger wines. But still nowhere close to 1991 Chave in quality.
Craig-
I stand corrected. There is no comparison with the likes of Chave or other legendary Northern Rhone producers. I got a little bit carried away in my enthusiasm for Dehlinger. That said, Dehlinger’s Syrahs do tend to age gracefully and are a beautiful New World expression of the grape.
Colin
Adam,
Which Paul Lato syrah was opened? He makes a number of them - Cinematique from the Larner Vineyard, a Bien Nacido Vineyard one, and then at least one more.
I have found them beautifully elegant - but not sure about long term aging potential on them versus other producers. That is NOT to say that they are not wonderful wines - but the challenge for me with domestic syrahs comes down to QPR.
Cheers.
That’s the thing I can’t remember. I normally take a photo of each label I drink , but this time I must have been too drunk! 
Best aged domestic Syrah I’ve had was a ‘97 Jade Mountain.
- 1997 Jade Mountain Syrah Block P-10 Paras Vineyard - USA, California, Napa Valley, Mt. Veeder (11/12/2012)
14.3% abv. Decanted off sediment and poured a taste. Nice ruby color, nose is heavy on bell pepper, menthol, tobacco and a little leather. Blind I would have guessed Cab Franc. First taste at cellar temp. The palate is still showing nice fruit for its age with a big shot of blueberry, pepper and some black raspberry. Still some acid keeping it light on its feet and the tannins are fine but mouth coating. Alcohol shows a bit on the finish. Will revisit after air and temp correction.
Really fleshed out and gained nice texture after a few hours. Reminds me of a 2006 Mt Veeder Syrah from Lagier Meredith. On day 2 it held its own and delivered everything from the first night. Very impressive wine and for a mere $25 was a LastBottleWine steal.
Posted from CellarTracker
had a 2013 morlet syrah over the weekend.
not in the same tier as some of the others everyone has already mentioned. very good, but not great.
I had some 2003 Jade Mountain Paras and I thought they were excellent. The interesting thing is I bought them on Last Bottle Wines too during one of the early marathon sales. That was back when they blew out some really nice aged, but somewhat obscure, wines. You don’t see gems like these anymore during the marathons.
No personal tasting experience, but I have read some good comments elsewhere on Kevin White Winery (Washington state). Has anyone tasted their Syrah?
Their En Hommage is quite the deal. Not profound but VERY good for the money and fairly “French” tasting (ie mineral-driven, lighter body, no obvious oak, fruit in check) for Washington Syrah. Worth tasting if that’s something that sounds up your alley.
Larry, found a photo of label. It was the Larner Vineyard one, 2014. Fantastic.
I am very surprised that Petrichor has received no mention here (someone please correct me if it was mentioned, and I missed it…)…after drinking much American Syrah, I think that Petrichor may be at the top of the heap.
Beyond Petrichor, I like Reynvaan, Cabot, Nicora, and Halcon.
I used to sell Dehlinger and Havens. Both really nice North Coast Syrah. The Havens Hudson was the schnitz.
No personal tasting experience, but I have read some good comments elsewhere on Kevin White Winery (Washington state). Has anyone tasted their Syrah?
All Kevin White wines are quite the deal!
2017 Kevin White Winery Syrah En Hommage - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley (6/15/2019)
Washington State Day 2 (Seattle/Woodinville): Tasting pour. Plum, blueberries, stone, mild oak/vanilla and floral notes. Very smooth wine over all. Medium finish. Amazing how well this is drinking and fruit is the main feature. (92 points)
Anyone try the 2014 Pax Hillsides Syrah recently? One of the better shops in town is featuring it on its sale.