Super Syrah Tasting at Wine Watch

“I pray you, do not fall in love with me, for I am falser than vows made in wine.” William Shakespeare, As You Like It

Syrah or Shiraz is one of the few red grape varietals that can by itself be made into a world class wine that can be cellared for decades.  Although the names are not identical the grape varietal is the same. There are many speculations as to the origin of this varietal but DNA profiling in 1999 found Syrah to be the offspring of two obscure grapes from southeastern France, Dureza and Mondeuse Blanche.  Syrah should not be confused with Petite Sirah, a synonym for Durif, a cross of Syrah with Peloursin dating from 1880.

Tonight we will do some experimenting with this varietal and study just how well Syrah from various places of origin ages.  Of course we have wines from The Rhone Valley, where the most famous examples from regions like Hermitage and Cote Rotie are the pinnacle of quality and age ability.  Then we have to include some Aussie wines, the land down under has also been into syrah for quite some time now they have been growing Shiraz in Australia for over 100 years.  And of course California, although they are the newcomers to the Syrah varietal, they are fast learners as California is producing some of the world's greatest examples of this dark skinned varietal.

Wine Watch Catering's Toni Lampasone will be making a few small courses to accompany the tasting wines.  The fee for this tasting is $125 + tax, for reservations call 954-523-9463.

Super Syrah Tasting at Wine Watch

Friday, August 22, 2014

7:00 PM

2011 Lewis Syrah Napa Price: $77.00    Sale $67.76

Syrah shined in 2011 and this wine could be the star of the vintage. Showy ripe fruit takes center stagewith a large supporting cast of violet nectar, charcuterie, white pepper and floral cedar spice. Voluptuous yet firm and fresh, there's a bit of Barbarella here, with tightly knitted texture and fine tannins to keep the act serious. 75 cases produced.

2009 Spring Valley Nina Lee Syrah Price: $62.00    Sale $54.56

 (93 Points) Vibrant and focused, this is generous with its fresh, juicy plum, blueberry and spice flavors, with a hint of peppery bacon on the long, vivid finish. Drink now through 2017. 950 cases made. –HS Wine Spectator Issue: May 31, 2012

Winemaker's Notes: 2009 marks another intense vintage of our Nina Lee Syrah, which offers a nose of bright, candied violet and huge yet still fresh and fruity flavors of concentrated blackberry and cocoa. Highly structured and packed with rich tannins, this is a wine to drink now or cellar for future enjoyment. 100% Syrah. 

2007 Colgin IX Syrah Estate Price: $187.50    Sale $165.00

(95 Points) There are 475 cases of the 2007 IX Syrah Estate, which offers up flowery, roasted meat, balsamic, tar, and blackberry characteristics in a full-bodied format. The wine reveals sweet tannin, and layers of fruit, including a note of lavender that emerges as the wine sits in the glass. It should drink well for a decade.  Colgin's 2007s, which include their final vintage of Cabernet Sauvignon from the Herb Lamb Vineyard, are all extraordinary, world-class wines. The change in winemakers from Mark Aubert to Allison Tauziet has gone very smoothly, and was made easier by the retention of the highly respected French wine consultant, Dr. Alain Raynaud, who told me that tasting Colgin's 2007s gave him his greatest emotional high since he tasted the Chateau Pavie 2000! The 2008s will not be available until 2011, but it appears to be a very successful vintage for Colgin. The crop was tiny, and there were no frost issues, but several heat spikes did occur. Both Allison Tauziet and Alain Raynaud thought that the small berries provided powerful fruit intensity. Wine Advocate #186, Dec 2009

2001 Shirvington Shiraz McLaren Vale Price: $147.00    Sale $129.36

(98 points) The 2001 Shiraz may be even more momentous than the Cabernet Sauvignon. There are nearly 1,000 cases of this blockbuster, opulently-styled, black beauty. Its inky/purple color is followed by an exceptional bouquet of black fruits, espresso roast, charcoal, and smoke. With great ripeness, intensity, purity, that fabulous seamless texture the Marquis team routinely obtains, and a finish that lasts more than a minute, it should offer profound drinking for at least a decade. Wine Advocate #148 Aug 2003

2003 Tuesner Shiraz Albert Barossa Price: $62.00    Sale $54.56

(93 Points) The 2003 Albert, a 100% Shiraz cuvee produced from 45- to 89-year-old vines, is brought up in 100% French barrels. A dense purple color is followed by a sumptuous perfume of blackberries, smoke, and cassis, medium to full-bodied, opulent flavors, low acidity, ripe tannin, and a long, luscious finish. It should drink well for 7-8 years.  Wine Advocate #155, Oct 2004 

2003 Guigal Cote Rotie la Landonne Price: $799.00    Sale $703.12

(100 Points) Dense purple to the rim with a nose of graphite, creosote, earth, olives, and black, black, black fruits, the primordial, full-bodied, monumental 2003 Cote Rotie La Landonne is amazing stuff. I suspect this is more akin to a dry vintage port than most Cote Roties ever tend to be, but the purity, the richness, the texture, the length are all out of this world. This wine does need some patience on the part of its purchasers, probably five years, more likely 8-10, but then one of the world’s most compelling elixirs will be at its peak for another 20-30+ years. Wine Advocate #170, Apr 2007

1999 Fontodi Syrah Case Via Tuscany Price: $65.00    Sale $57.20

(90 points) The 1999 Syrah Case Via (aged 12 months in barrique) appears to be the finest Syrah Fontodi has yet produced. It is a high-toned example with a cooler climate taste than French Syrah, but the complex notes of smoke, melted asphalt, blackberries, currants, leather, and charcoal are striking. Medium-bodied, with good underlying acidity, and a tight, restrained personality, this pure, long Syrah should continue to unfold over the next 7-10 years. Bravo!  Wine Advocate #144, Dec 2002

1988 Chave Hermitage Price: $575.00    Sale $666.16

(93 Points) Even more closed than the 1989 and 1990, this opaque, dark ruby/purple-colored wine reveals a tightly knit nose of cassis, minerals, and tar. Full-bodied, with superb concentration, the 1988 Chave Hermitage exhibits more astringent, tougher tannin than either the 1989 or 1990. While it appears more structured, it has nowhere near the weight and dazzling opulence of its two younger siblings. Nevertheless, this is a superb Hermitage. Anticipated maturity: 2000-2020. Last tasted 6/96. Rhone Book Jan 1997

Menu

Selection of Cheese:  Beemster gouda, Manchego and Hard Cheddar

Jamon Croquette served over queso blanco

Skirt Steak stew with hearty vegetables served with cheesy toast

The fee for this tasting is $125 + tax, for reservations call 954-523-9463.