Wednesday was global Syrah day as proclaimed by Hospice du Rhone (at least this writer heard about it from HdR) though we are not sure of the original instigator. Whoever it was, we salute them for an opportunity to focus on a grape that seems to get treated like the red-headed step child of wine these days. Thirteen local wine geeks got together at Old World Winery in Sonoma and sipped through 2 flights blind. For those of you who don’t know, tasting a wine blind is when you put the bottle in a bag so that you don’t know what you are tasting at first or where it’s from. Of course, we assumed we were drinking Syrah, but in many blind tastings even the grape variety is not known.
The flights were separated by vintage range. The aged wines this night were all from vintages older than 1998 and the “younger” wines were newer than that year. Ultimately, we each ranked our favorites and a winner of each flight was anointed. The following lists are in order of ranking with the Winner first.
Flight: Vintage after 1998
1st – 2007 Sonoma Coast Vineyards Sonoma Coast Occidental Road – This wine was quite floral, with sweet fruit on the nose. There were a good amount of tannins, smooth mouthfeel and obviously a cool climate Syrah that was very fruit forward. Everyone was fantastically surprised and excited about this wine.
2nd – 2004 Old World Winery Rockin’ R Ranch – Most varietally correct by this writer’s account with floral notes due to addition of Rousanne skins during fermentation, rosemary, asphalt and olives. Tannins were good, but not overwhelming and good finish.
3rd – 2005 Columbia Winery Red Willow Yakima Valley – This wine smelled of raisins and stewed fruits and the palate of smooth and mellow. I nice wine to drink any day of the week.
4th – 2003 Hurrah! Surrah! Paso Robles – Burnt toffee, herbs and vanilla on the nose. Blackberry pie on the palate.
5th – 2001 Amphora Dry Creek Valley – A little horsey and barnyard on the nose, which may indicate some “Brett” ( distinct musty notes due to the Brettanomyces wild yeast – can be welcomed in many old world wines ).
Flight: Vintage prior to 1998
T1st – 1989 Penfolds Grange Hermitage South Australia – This was my personal favorite of the evening. The nose delivered eucalyptus, earth, leather, stewed tomatoes and olives. Black fruit graced the well-balanced palate, with medium tannins and good acid.
T1st – 1992 Christopher Creek Russian River Valley – Pungent on the nose for me along with some medicinal alcohol and burnt rubber. This one didn’t really tickle my fancy as I ranked it last of the four, but others found it on par with Penfolds.
3rd – 1997 Lonetree Mendocino – Voted second in this flight by this writer, the hue was still dark ruby (red wines tend to turn towards the brick orange spectrum with age) with notes of pencil, graphite, blackberries and chocolate on the nose. Big tannins dominated the palate on this hefty fella with hints of cherries as well.
4th – 1993 Edmunds St. John’s Grand Heritage – The nose brought on cinnamon, chili, baking spices and burnt wood with raspberries on the nose. The mid-palate was a bit hollow, though still had decent level of tannins.
Ultimately, Syrah shined on this day as it should on any occasion. Hailing originally from the Rhone region in France, it has a pedigree that should be respected and enjoyed. When the opportunity hits you, always take the time to try something new, challenge your senses and have some fun with wine. If you recently participated in a blind tasting, please share your experience with us in the comments below.
