Super Syrah Tasting at Wine Watch

“Wine is like people. The wine takes all the influences in life all around it, it absorbs them and it gets its personality."

French Kiss (1995) – Luc (Kevin Kline)

This tasting is part of the extensive research that we are doing here at the Wine Watch.  Tonight we are testing older vintages of Syrah/Shiraz to see just how they are drinking today to let you, our Wine Drinking People, know just when is the right time to drink your finest Shiraz based wines.

Syrah or Shiraz is one of the few red grape varietals that can by itself be made into a world class wine capable of being 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. This is a sit down pre-poured event and is limited to 14 tasters, the fee for this tasting is $95 + tax, for reservations call 954-523-9463.

Super Syrah/Shiraz tasting at Wine Watch
Friday, August 21st
7pm

Reception

Sparkling Shiraz

Tasting line-Up:

1998 Le Macchiole Scrio Syrah Tuscany
Price: $225.00

(95 points) There are only microscopic quantities available of this wine, so I will keep my tasting notes somewhat streamlined, even though it merits a near perfect score. Le Macchiole's Scrio is the most profound Syrah being made in Italy. Unfined and unfiltered, and produced from incredibly tiny yields, the black/purple-colored 1998 offers scents of licorice, melted tar, truffles, and blackberry liqueur. Full-bodied and opulent, with high tannin but compelling sweetness, and a multilayered palate, it requires 3-4 years of cellaring, but should age for two decades. It could easily compete with some of the Rhone Valley's great Hermitages. This is a prodigious wine. It is a shame quantities are so limited. Wine Advocate # 137 Oct 2001

2003 Clarendon Hills Syrah Hickinbotham Mclaren Vale
Price: $112.50

(96+ Points) Notions of melted tar, blackberries, liquid minerals, and charcoal emerge from the inky/purple-colored 2003 Syrah Hickinbotham Vineyard. Revealing a meaty richness along with great concentration, length, purity, and definition, it is a tour de force in winemaking. This amazing Syrah should age effortlessly for two decades. Wine Advocate #161, Oct 2005

2006 Cayuse Syrah Cailloux Vineyard Columbia Valley
Price: $198.00

(98 points)  The first of the Syrahs is the saturated purple 2006 Syrah Cailloux Vineyard (with 4% Viognier in the blend). It displays a Cote-Rotie-like nose of smoked meat, game, and bacon with a dollop of burnt sugar and blueberry making an appearance. Layered, plush, and super-rich, this full-bodied, pleasure-bent effort has exceptional length. Difficult to resist now, it can be enjoyed over the next 10-12 years.   Wine Advocate #185 Oct 2009

2003 El Porvenir Laborum Syrah Cafayette Valley
Price: $40.00

Wine Watch Review:   Coco and wild game notes to the plum and black cherry fruit very similar to the Malbec just a little plumier and richer. Soft and round tannins on the tongue with lovely ripe plumy fruit balanced acidity with light spice notes on the finish. Finish 40 EXCELLENT

2005 Pax Syrah Cuvee Christine
Price: $54.00

(95 points) "The 2005 Syrah Cuvee Christine, which is from the Sonoma side of Spring Mountain, exhibits a blackish/blue color and a gorgeous cool-climate Syrah nose of tapenade, creosote, charcoal, espresso, and ground pepper. With as much blackberry fruit as one would like, it is inky bluish purple in color, with sensational ripeness, a full-bodied mouthfeel, and tremendous extract in a massive style. Nevertheless, the wine is harmonious and velvety-textured." (12/07) Robert Parker

1997 Jaboulet Hermitage La Chapelle Rhone Valley
Price: $115.00

(93 Points) The 1997 Hermitage La Chapelle has begun to completely close down, which is surprising in view of how sweet, seductive, and precocious this vintage can be. However, the color seems to get deeper with exposure to air (the wine was far more drinkable after 24 hours of aeration than it was upon opening).

The moderately intense bouquet exhibits plenty of ripe blackberry and cherry fruit, in addition to spicy, mineral characteristics. There is considerable weight and volume, but the wine is tight, and nearly impenetrable, leaving an impression of a large, deep, four-square monolith in need of 7-10 years of cellaring - at the minimum.

This is an outstanding Hermitage La Chapelle that will have at least three decades of positive evolution. For readers intent on committing infanticide, open and decant it 12-24 hours in advance. The improvement is dramatic. Perhaps it is Jacques Jaboulet's preference to bottle with very high levels of CO2 (1200 ppm) that makes this wine so difficult to taste in its youth. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2025 Wine Advocate #129, Jun 2000

2000 Guigal Cote Rotie Chateau D'Ampuis
Price: $159.75

(88-91 points) "I found variation in the six component parts of the 2000 Cote Rotie Chateau d'Ampuis. The scores ranged from the high eighties to low nineties, but make no mistake about it, this wine will put on weight...This is a lighter-styled, medium-bodied effort. Iit possesses sweet jammy fruit and bacon fat characteristics, but is already easy to drink, without the structure, weight, and depth of other vintages. Nevertheless, it will have its place given the charm, purity, and upfront, easygoing character. Anticipated maturity: 2004-2014." (04/02) Robert Parker

2003 Black Bart Syrah Port Napa (375ml)
Price: $46.25

One of the most unique wines that we have in the Syrah category this wine is fortified like the wines of Portugal.  The Syrah is from one of the most famous vineyards, Stagecoach and this mountain fruit and shows tremendous intensity and balance.

Menu

Selection of Cheese" goat, Beemster Gouda and Fig Jam

Grilled Pepper stuffed with Wild Boar Ragout drizzled with Sage infused olive oil

Beef Short Rib Shepards Pie with wild Mushrooms, golden Beets and savory wild herbs