Wine Tasting: Syrah/Shiraz

Wow, that was quite a blow out. Who knew Syrah would be so popular? We blew right through my previous bottle record, and this time I didn't even get to try everything that was opened.

I'm afraid I can't do full tasting notes for 25+ bottles. I will say that I've already gone out and bought more of #3 and #17. And I would buy more of #9, even at $100, if I could (it's long sold out, a fantastic wine from a reliably fantastic producer). My favorite highlights are bold italics below. Links are to K&L Wines, which is where I get most of my wine.

1. 2004 Viña Montes Syrah Colchagua Valley Alpha Apalta Vineyard (Chile) ($15.99): Wine Spectator 91 pts, good, but not as good as its countryman, #3


2. 2004 Cornas Vincent Paris "Granit 30" ($29.99): lovely Rhone wine, probably the most sophisticated and restrained of the evening


3. 2004 Concha y Toro Syrah Peumo Marqués de Casa Concha (Chile) ($14.99): Wine Spectator 91 pts, bold fruit, real tannins and oak, killer bargain


4. 2004 Two Hands "Lily's Garden" Shiraz McLaren Vale South Australia ($35.95): Wine Spectator 94 pts, good, but didn't blow me away; for the money, I'd buy the Unti instead


5. 2004 The Black Chook Shiraz Viognier (~$18)


6. 2004 Jacob's Creek Shiraz ($9.99): I actually got this on sale for $6! bland and inoffensive, but totally outclassed by the similarly priced Cotes du Rhone below.


7. 2002 Baileyana Edna Valley Syrah ($18)


8. 2002 Tolosa Edna Ranch Enda Valley Syrah ($20)


9. 2003 Alban Vineyards Reva Edna Valley Syrah ($99.00): my god, what beautiful wine, Wine Spectator's #6 in their Top 100 Wines of the Year, 96 pts.


10. 2000 Domaine de l'Enclos Andre Brunel Cotes du Rhone (grenache-syrah) (~$10.00): fantastic value, very smooth, well balanced, current vintage on sale now at The Wine House for $6.


11. 2003 Côte Rôtie Bernard Burgaud ($39.99)


12. 2002 Hyde Vineyards Napa Valley Syrah (?): basically a home-made wine, lots of spirit, but poorly integrated.


13. 2002 Chalone Vineyard Syrah ($28): Wine Spectator Top 100, reliable producer, not as good as the Unti!


14. 2000 Terre Rouge Sierra Foothills Syrah ($24.00): well liked by the crowd, good value


15. 2001 Whaler Vineyard Flagship Syrah Mendocino (~$24?)


16. 2001 Paraiso Santa Lucia Highlands Monterey County Syrah (~$20)


17. 2003 Unti Dry Creek Syrah ($21.99): second only to the Alban for prettiness and balance, a great deal, this is a special vintage for Unti.


18. 2002 Deerfield Ranch "Ladi's Vineyard" Sonoma Syrah ($34.99): much more generous fruit than the 2000, very nice


19. 2000 Deerfield Ranch "Ladi's Vineyard" Sonoma Syrah (~$30): restrained, little fruit showing


20. 2003 Cline Cool Climate Sonoma Coast Syrah (~$15)

These also got poured, though I'm not sure when or in what order.

• 2005 Thorn-Clarke "Shotfire Ridge" Barossa Shiraz ($15.99)


• 2003 Teldeschi Ramazzotti Vineyard Alexander Valley Syrah (~$25?)


• 2002 EXP Syrah (~$14)