| |
| |
| |
Qupe Central Coast Syrah, 2006
 |
| |
 |
Amazingly enough, this is the 25th vintage of Qupe’s
Central Coast Syrah bottling (first one 1982)! The wine has evolved
tremendously over those 25 years.
This 2006 is 94% Syrah, 5% Grenache, and 1% Counoise. It comes
from Santa Barbara County (54%), Paso Robles (34%), San Luis Obispo
County (8%), and Arroyo Grande Valley (4%).
This is one of their best bottlings yet of this wine. The
relatively cool vintage in 2006 allowed for long hang time and great
acidity. The riper, forward fruit aspects of the Paso Robles fruit are
balanced by the acidity and spiciness of the cool climate Santa Barbara
fruit. This wine is made with early consumption in mind, but if you are
so inclined, and since this is a special anniversary vintage, you can
certainly put in the cellar for 8-10 years.
Barbecued pork comes to mind as the perfect meal with this wine.
|
 |
|
Price $17 |
 |
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
| |
Mueller Block Eleven Syrah, 2004
|
| |
 |
The Mueller 2004 Block Eleven Syrah is produced from a
single block in a vineyard near the banks of the Russian River. The
vineyard is located on a well drained, gravelly site less than one mile
from the Russian River. This vineyard experiences the full impact of the
cooling fog which travels up its banks.
Dark, rich, ruby red in color. Aromas of smoky toasted oak and
ripe blueberry along with light pepper and anise. Full bodied, yet
smooth and supple with flavors of blueberry, blackberry and licorice.
Its rich array of flavors and aromas will age gracefully and
become more complex over the next several years.
318 cases produced. 92
Points – Stephen Tanzer.
|
|
|
|
Price $43 |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
| |
August Briggs Lake County Petite Sirah, 2005
|
| |
 |
The 2005 August Briggs Lake County Petite Sirah is the
sixth vintage from this beautiful Lake County vineyard. This full-bodied
wine was produced from Black Rock vineyard located in the red hills
between Lakeport and the city of Lower Lake off the southern shore of
Clearlake. The vineyard is unique, being planted on a bed of broken
obsidian and dark red soil. The vines are head trained in the old style,
thus yielding two to three tons per acre.
Known for its deep color and powerful flavors, this offering fits
the bill. It has a deep, dark, ruby red color. A solid blueberry fruit
core is framed by dark chocolate/espresso flavors, a rustic spiciness
and plenty of tannin. 100% Petite Sirah! Pair this wine with intensely
flavored cheese or a rich beef stew.
502 cases produced.
|
|
|
|
Price $39 |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
| |
Atelier Syrah, 2004
|
| |
 |
The allure of Sonoma County’s Alexander Valley has
captured the winemaking interests of Atelier Winery and enticed them to
purchase from an exquisite boutique Syrah vineyard in the town of Asti.
The gently rolling hills and the warm, long days in the northern
Alexander Valley allow the three different clones of Syrah planted on
this ranch to mature to optimum ripeness. The result is an inky-dark,
voluptuous wine of uncommon depth and character. The 2004 Atelier Syrah
matured in a blend of French and American oak for eighteen months and
was released in March 2005. Flavors of ripe plum, dusty briar berries,
and a truffle-like note make this intriguing Syrah a wine to look
forward to.
|
|
|
|
Price $36 |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
| |
David Bruce Petite Sirah, 2005
|
| |
 |
Stretching in a narrow band from Santa Barbara to the
San Francisco Bay, the Central Coast region is characterized by the
cooling influences of the Pacific Ocean. The grapes for the 2005 David
Bruce Petite Sirah come from several vineyards in Paso Robles and
southern Monterey. The resulting components display notable differences,
some exuding bright, spice-tinged fruit while others are jammy, earthy
and dense. The blend in many ways exceeds the sum of these parts,
offering blackberry, blueberry and white pepper aromas, with a supple
and balanced feel coming from our gentle handling of the fruit. Limiting
the influence of new oak allows the fruit to shine through, making this
wine versatile with foods, and ready to drink now.
|
|
|
|
Price $23 |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
| |
C G DiArie Estate Petite Sirah, 2005
|
| |
 |
Petite Sirah contains generous amounts of tannin,
color, and backbone. Most often used as a blender for just these
reasons, it can be difficult to make a varietal wine.
Understanding these difficulties, Chaim constructed a winemaking
plan to maximize the varietal characteristics and minimize bitterness
and harshness. The most important part of the 2005 C G DiArie Estate
Petite Sirah was to ensure the fruit had enough varietal character to
complement the tannin and color. Inky dark purple in color, the wine
has an elegant nose that begins with blueberries and raspberries. Fruit
gives way to cocoa and vanilla. On the palate notes of pencil shavings
leads to mint, violets, smoked meats, and white pepper. The acidity in
the long pleasant finish balances the tannins and ends with lingering
fruit. 91 Points Wine & Spirits Magazine. 451 cases produced.
|
|
|
|
Price $29 |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
| |
Stark Winery Syrah, 2005
|
| |
 |
From a small Dry Creek Valley winery – Stark
Winery - comes a fantastic Syrah.
The
2005
Stark Syrah Teldeschi & Unti Vineyards was
produced with fruit from two of Dry Creek Valley’s most dedicated and
respected growers.
This full-bodied, dark Syrah has a sweet core of
blackberry/cassis fruit along with a smoky, spicy complexity. Classic
black and white pepper aromas are accented by cherry and plum flavors.
It has excellent depth, richness and balance. The tannins in
this wine will allow it to age for 5 to 7 years, though the lush fruit
might convince you to eschew patience, and enjoy it much sooner.
Bright acidity balances the rich texture.
|
|
|
|
Price $35 |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
| |
Enkidu Petite Sirah, 2005
|
| |
 |
The Enkidu 2005 Petite Sirah, Diener Ranch, Lake County
is a balanced Petite Sirah that offers incredible complexity. Diener
Ranch is from the Red Hills region of Lake County. The deep, red, rocky
volcanic soils of this region contribute to complex aromas and flavors,
and a muscular, refined structure. The
2005 Diener Ranch has a profound black pepper spice that provides the
backbone of both the aromas and flavors. Ripe plum, sage, licorice and
hints of coffer and leather contribute to an excitingly complex wine.
The structure is full-bodied with refined mouth filling tannins and
finish that goes on and on.
|
|
|
|
Price $36 |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
| |
Neyers Syrah, 2005
|
| |
 |
In the mid 1990s, the Sangiacomo family planted this vineyard, a mile or
so east of the Petaluma River. It sits on a steep, south-facing slope
that is almost a 45-degree grade in some spots. Its 12 acres are planted
entirely to Syrah, approximately four acres each to bud wood sourced
respectively from Cornas, Hermitage and Cote-Rotie. The climate
resembles Carneros, with cool, windy days and chilly nights throughout
most of the summer. These conditions, along with the dramatic terrain,
keep the crop size low and the wine intense. The wine they made from the
long growing season of 2005 is both dark and rich. It displays those
fascinating bacon-fat and black olive aromas characteristic of the most
expressive Northern Rhone reds.
and it's a remarkable wine. Dark colored, aromatic with that great aroma
of spice and animal, as the French call it, the wine is just great
Syrah! 1,155 cases produced.
92 Points – Robert Parker
|
|
|
|
Price $35 |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
| |
Black Cat Syrah, 2004
|
| |
 |
Black Cat Vineyard is a small boutique winery located in the beautiful
Napa Valley. They take great
pride in the attention to detail that sets Black Cat Vineyard apart from
the rest, crafting wines in very small quantities to allow artful
attention to every detail. Winemaker,
Tracey Reichow, makes less than 200 cases of each varietal. The Black
Cat 2004 Syrah starts off with intense black fruit aromas, and spicy
black pepper mixed with dried rose petals and vanilla bean. Enjoy the
bright fruit characters, concentrated flavors of berry, vanilla and
toasty oak with a silky mocha finish. |
|
|
|
Price $42 |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
| |
Andrew Murray Vineyards, Tous Les Jours Syrah, 2006
|
| |
 |
Andrew Murray Vineyards has consistently turned out great wines for the
last 10 years. Named as “One of
Santa Barbara’s finest wineries,” by
Robert Parker, Jr. and the
editors of Food and Wine magazine were in agreement when they
named Andrew as the “Tastemaker
of the Year” in 2004.
For the 2006 Tous Les Jours Syrah, he starts with great grapes
from Paso Robles and the Santa Ynez Valley and uses the different
climates to create a wine that is both fruity and spicy at the same
time. Using his experiences with both new world and old world style
winemaking, he makes the most drinkable Syrah imaginable.
Ultrarich, with herb-laced sour
plum, cranberry and black cherry fruit that’s well-focused, turning
plush and complex on a long, detailed finish.
Great for the fall menus of hearty soup and cassoulet.
|
|
|
|
Price $19 |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
Peltier Station Petite Sirah 2005, Lodi
|
| |
 |
This wonderful Petite has a dark, magenta/purple
appearance. Hints of lilac are on the nose with a welcoming pallet of
caramel, pepper, and earth. This wine has moderate astringency and a
long lasting smooth finish. Open a bottle and wait for approximately 10
minutes before the first pour to enjoy to its fullest. Sweeter foods
like honey mustard salad will bring out the spice, where a sirloion
steak cooked to perfection will show off the fruitiness. And don’t
forget the chocolate! 94 points; Best of Class; Best of Region 2006
California State Fair. |
|
|
|
Price $21 |
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
Miro Petite Sirah 2005, Dry Creek Valley
|
| |
 |
Many winemakers do an excellent job for the winery they
work for and make some excellent wines of their own under their own
label. Such is the case with Miro Tcholakov, winemaker for Trentadue and
LaStoria wines. Under his own Miro label, he produces fantastic Petite
Sirah! His 100% Petite Sirah 2005 comes from the Somers Vineyard in Dry
Creek Valley, which is well known for its Zinfandel and Petite Sirah.
The unique combination of slope, exposure and soil type are perfect
match for Petite Sirah-with sufficient heat during the day and rapid
cooling at night. The wine is inky dark, almost opaque with purple hue.
On the nose the wine opens with intense blue berry, roasted coffee and
minerals aromas and a hint of brown sugar. Further aeration reveals
deeper and complex layers of ripe plums, blackberry, hint of white
pepper and graphite. On the mouth the wine is remarkably soft and supple
(for P. Sirah!), full bodied with long and juicy, mouth filling finish.
Longevity is to be expected for next-5-8 years, if you can wait that
long! 650 cases made. |
|
|
|
Price $34 |
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
Savannah-Chanelle Syrah 2004, Coastview Vineyard, Monterey County
|
| |
 |
In 1892, French immigrant Pierre Pourroy established the
winery high above the Santa Clara Valley (today better known as Silicon
Valley). The estate sits on 58 acres and was purchased by the Ballard
family in 1996, who named the winery after their two daughters. This
Syrah is a big wine. Starting off with a deep amethyst black color, and
fresh tomato sauce and mineral aromas. The full-bodied mouthfeel is full
of blackberry and black raspberry flavors with hints of smoke and tomato
sauce and mineral aromas. A silky round entry leads to a dry-yet-fruity
medium-full body of berry compote, cream, wet minerals, spice, and
roasted tomato flavors. Finishes with a long tangy fade of baked berry
tart and cinnamon. An elegant and ripely flavorful wine to enjoy sipping
or at the table. Enjoy this wine with steaks, BBQ, pizza or chili. |
|
|
|
Price $26 |
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
Cedarville Estate Syrah 2005, El Dorado County
|
| |
 |
The 2005 Syrah has the classic Cedarville Vineyard Syrah
aromatics of earth, cedar and blackberries, along with a hint of
graphite, chocolate and blackberry flavors, chalky tannins, balancing
acids, and a very long finish. It was co-fermented with a little
higher percentage of Viognier than in 2003, which beautifully
complements the intensity of the Syrah. As usual, it is the most
complex and layered of the Cedarville wines, and a wonderful wine with
food. If you can manage to cellar some bottles, we suspect it will age
gracefully, as have our previous vintages. Cases Produced: 371 |
|
|
|
Price $28 |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
