The rest of us brought along a bottle and we cobbled together a vertical that spanned 10 vintages between 1988 - 2004. Noël Verset made wines in Cornas that for many people define the potential greatness of the Northern Rhône and of Syrah. He grew an old Syrah clone called La Petite Syrah , a clone known for aromatic complexity.

The lanky, California maker of pinot noir, chardonnay, and syrah told me at his Sonoma winery that he had his conversion in 2005, after returning from a trip to Burgundy and the Rhone. He tasted the pinot noirs and syrahs he had been making since starting his own label, Copain Wines , in 1999. Thus he decided to change his style.

This is a tiny town in the Northern Rhone, famous for its red wine made from Syrah and white from Viognier. liked the Cote du Ventoux Rouge 2009 (60% syrah, 30% grenache, 20% others) with its blueberry flavors, yet went wild for the white Muscat d Beaumes de Venise 2008. Imagine yourself in Ampuis in 1781.

Getting time to clean out the old wine fridge. After two months of laying around, drinking coffee, tea, water and gatorade and laying off the good stuff I am beginning to feel the need for a long day of wine shopping, but the fridge is full and I will just have to do my part in making room for more. Here the grapes for Frascati are grown.

I love it when Shirley decides to experiment in the kitchen. It either means we end up going out to dinner or I am in for a special treat. don't always know where she gets her inspiration and last night I did not see any of her cookbooks on the counter, so that means she thought about this recipe while trimming her herb garden.

I don't often go with Shirley and Pam to the Saturday morning Central New York Regional Farmer's Market, but I made an exception today. was also out of bed early enough to tag along, which is unusual. did stop at one and tasted their 2007 Meritage. It seems to be that the wine always is a bit different, no, a lot different than what I remembered.

I've been holding out on the wine reviews until everything gets back to normal after my surgery. At present, my Cardiologist has OK'd 3-4 oz. of wine per day and, for me, that just don't cut it. do cheat a bit and I also skip some evenings. That is what happened with the first bottles I opened. little lighter bodied than what I'm used to in Zin.

Last March I posted a press release on a new collection of artisan wines in an innovative attractive new package. An international wine collection with six brands and ten items packaged in a new exciting premium 3L wine cask from the Octavin Home Wine Bar ™. The Chardonnay was not impressive. Definitely a good party wine.

With May and New York Riesling month coming to close soon, it is safe to say that I tasted more Riesling this month than any one year in my life. The hard part was deciding which ones I would post on the blog. After this article I will post once more on a NY Riesling and may list all those I have had. Both were opened with a BBQ chicken dinner.

Park Avenue Spring was a wonderful venue to showcase the wines - a creamy 2008 Chardonnay with a long crisp finish that paired well with the oyster, refreshing 2008 Sauvignon Blanc (tank-fermented and aged in neutral French Oak barrels), 2004 Pinot Noir (everyone's favorite!) "So what did the first winery look like?" cakebread cake.

This past Monday evening was a first for me on-line. Because of my work schedule and Shirley's extra long 'honey-do' list I never have the chance to do a tweet up on Twitter or follow a wine party on Facebook. You can add comments or photos or just sit back, relax, read what others are having and just sip away on your own wine.

This past weeks edition of the Syracuse New Times, a weekly alternative newspaper published in Syracuse, New York, contained an interesting article on Finger Lakes Riesling. Gary noted four wineries, one of which I vaguely remember from an article written by Evan Dawson for the New York Cork Report. Sipping later was delightful.

To continue Riesling month here in New York, I wanted to find something other than my favorites from the Finger Lakes region. Doing so seemed almost impossible. Other than ordering on line, it is very difficult to find New York wines other than Finger Lakes and Adirondack wineries in the local shops. Enough history.

Apparently, blending syrah from the Northern Rhone with Bordeaux was fairly common in the pre- appellation controllée era, particularly in weaker vintages, to result in a wine that had been “Hermitagé,&# so-called after the celebrated region that produces fine syrah. in the one I tasted last week.

Just finished watching the movie "Avatar" while sipping on my first Riesling of the summer. Finger Lakes Riesling of course. This month is Riesling month in New York and this will be the first of many I'll enjoy over the next 30 days. The 2008 Red Tail Ridge semi-dry Riesling was suggested by my sister-in-law. This is now one of her favorites.

Recently, the wife and I have been discussing a possible trip to California next year. few of the issues are for how long and where. Of course my choice would be Napa Valley, Sonoma Valley or Russian River Valley, the home of some of the best wines in the world. Oh, I'm sorry, did I leave out Paso Robles, Lodi, Central Coast or Livermore Valley.

The next four wines were all quite good, and were preferred by some of us, enjoyed by all, and in no particular order: 2004 Domaine du Deffends Côteaux Varois Clos de la Truffière , $19, Robert Chadderdon Selections. It is a blend of Syrah and Cabernet, and there might be other grapes in there too. Aren't they? Some are, yes. It is 12.5%

The first of the Zin's I recently stocked up on is the Rancho Zabaco Dry Creek Valley 2004 Reserve. The 2004 vintage is 96% Zinfandel and 4% Petite Sirah. I'm leaving Chile(till later) and heading over to California to try a few more Zin's. Deep dark fruit aromas with some cherry. Hey, you're never too old to learn. Not that I am old??

Since 2004 Steve has been Long Island Wine Council’s Executive Director, playing a large part in bringing the number of visitors to 1.3 Clovis Point 2007 Archaeology 56% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Cabernet Franc, 6% Petit Verdot, 6% Syrah, whew! million per year. Cabernet Sauvignon, 1.5% Barbera, and aged 22 months in oak.

This is the third of the Carmenere wines I tasted this month. As I stated in my previous two articles, Carmenere is one of the wines I've pushed aside in the past, but have placed on a list to re-examine in 2010. The first two left me with mixed feelings about the wine. did enjoy this with some Muenster and Dubliner cheese. It'll be fun!!!

It's a blend of Syrah with Grenache and Mourvedre. Tags: France Syrah Grenache Mourvedre Languedoc Keith Beavers I dropped by to see Keith Beavers at Alphabet City Wines last night, only to find him sitting around a table with friends sampling probably over 20 wines. This was a standout for me.

It's been a few years since I tasted Carmenere. If I remember right, it was a take it or leave it, nothing special, too many other fine wines, don't shop for wine. My last review confirmed that feeling, but in a very serious attempt to expand a lazy palate I purchased a few different labels to compare. The first was disappointing.

Wish I had a nice Canadian wine tonight so I could toast the Canadian Olympic Hockey Team on their winning of the Gold medal. am not an avid hockey fan, but I do watch occasionally and tonight enjoyed one of the best ever games. Instead, I uncorked an Arboleda Carmenère 2006 from the Colchagua Valley of Chile. Bring on the steaks!!! Wine Acidity: 5.31

The second course of fish was paired with Azua Bobal Roble 2007 (sweet floral nose, fruit and spice on the palate that does not weigh one down) and Quantum 2008 blend of Merlot, Syrah, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Michael Apstein. Have you heard of Manchuela? It is a very small, rather new D.O.

BTW, they are Zinfandel, Syrah, Pitite Sirah and Carmenere. The Zins are coming along better than expected and Syrah is rapidly becoming one of my faves. Tags: California red wine Petite Syrah Think my taste buds are back. I've been having a few problems with red wines since finishing some prescribed meds a few weeks ago.

Cashmere is a silky and wonderful blend of Mourvèdre, Grenache, and Syrah. One of the great things about social networking is that you often get in contact with friends and classmates from a time when all was great, life was fun and we were all going to live forever. This disease is not reserved for just women. Here's what I learned.

So much so, at half time of game, I got on-line and ordered more Atwater Cab-Merlot and Syrah. Sometimes when you least expect it, you open what may becomes your new favorite bottle of wine. Tonight I opened one of my remaining bottles of Finger Lakes wine purchased at my last tour in December. blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon and 47% Merlot.

First posted December 12, 2004, and I refer to the cataclysmic summer that had just past. The one in the Northern Rhone was about syrah. How did this happen without me seeing it? But out of nostalgia I thought I'd repost my very first before this grew into something else, bigger than myself. That's me this summer in Tain Hermitage.

Big break in weather today here in Central New York. Temperatures will reach about 30F. Must be the annual January thaw! To celebrate I figured to open one of my usually reserved for warm weather whites. My choice is one that was recently purchased at Lakewood Vineyards on Seneca Lake at the December 'Deck the Halls" event. 2007 Riesling.

Somewhere among my 50 New Year's resolutions (99.9% failure rate) was to leave my wine comfort zone more often as I continue to expand my trapped palate. To do so, I will have to taste, I mean drink, more wines that I never tried or wines I just never liked. So, to start off the new year I opened one of my least favorite wines, Zinfandel.

Bruno Giacosa Spumante Brut 2004 DOC Varietal: Pinot Noir Region: Lombardia Bruno Giacosa, known more for his Barolo and Barbaresco in the Piedmont region makes this Spumante Brut in the neighboring Lombardy region. In 2004, Piero purchased a vineyard in Patagonia Argentina which is now Bodega Chacra in order to produce Pinot Noir.

Syrah has always been one to those wines I could take or leave it. While visiting Damiani Wine Cellars on Seneca Lake this past spring I tasted an excellent Syrah and I was sold. found that the Syrah's produced here in the US were smoother and not as bold as the full bodied Shiraz I had become accustomed to.

The wine is 85% Cab/Sauv, 10% Merlot and 5% Syrah which gives it a nice fruity and peppery finish. ** Disclaimer: I received these wines from Martellotto Wine s One of the benefits of writing a wine blog is the occasional UPS delivery of wine to taste and review on the blog. The first one I opened was the Martellotto 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon.

From the Columbia and Walla Walla Valley in Oregon comes this tasty blend made from 35% Cabernet Franc, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and 14% Syrah. Select Cuvees of Cabernet, Merlot, and Syrah from top sites in the Walla Walla Valley were blended with choice lots from the Columbia Valley to produce this unique wine.

From All Recipes; Syrah, Zin or Riesling were suggested with the different submitted recipes. Alright, here's my dilemma or at least one of them. Tonight Shirley and daughter Pam are making 'halupkies' for dinner. The dilemma, I have no clue as to what wine to open. That only added to the dilemma. Color was a nice light greenish gold.

We got to meet Amy Cheatle and the staff and tasted some of my favorites and some new reds along with a surprisingly nice Sauvignon Blanc and I must admit a real nice Syrah. Amy talked me into trying the Syrah, a wine not very high on my list of favorites. had already done a review on the 2004 Eclipse, so we skipped that one.

Bonterra adds a little Merlot and Syrah to expand it's flavor and texture. I have a daughter that is living at home right now while she fixes up a house she bought a few months ago. She is very much into eating healthy and buys only organic veggies and fruits and free range meats, eggs and cheeses. Great Buy!

2004 Wynns Coonawarra Estate John Riddoch, Cabernet Sauvignon, Coonawarra. 2004 Mt Langi Ghiran Langi Shiraz, Grampians. 2004 Penfolds RWT Shiraz, Barossa Valley. 2004 Dalwhinnie Eagle Series Shiraz, Pyrenees. 2006 Clarendon Hills Astralis Vineyard Shiraz (Syrah), McLaren Vale. 2006 Ngeringa Syrah, Adelaide Hills.

When the time came, I found myself still buying a couple bottles of one of my favorite Pax Cellars Wine, the Kobler Family Vineyard Russian River Valley Syrah, thinking it would be the last time. Wind Gap is the culmination of all we have learned from working so diligently with Syrah." Rumor had it that disagreements with co-owner(?)

The 2008 Vin Gris de Cigare * was aromatic but a little flabby, while the 2003 Cigare Volant **/ and 2004 Cigare Volant ** each showed a little reduction. The 2004 was fresher, earthier and riper and more complex. Tags: 2004 2 stars USA Central California 2006 3 stars 1 star 2005 Good Value 2003 2007 2008

This syrah is like a left jab to the face, the aromas of ripe fruit assaulting your nose before you know what hit you. then another quick jab follows with plums. Next, a right cross to the mouth with smoky flavors, and just before you fall to the canvas you're thinking fresh flowers and lingering black pepper. It was a knockout

For about $22 you can buy the 2004 Binner Reisling Katzenthal , which is a big step up for your 5 bucks. Syrah, and Grenache. 75% Syrah, some Grenache, Cinsault, and Mourvedre make up the balance. Classic peppery and meaty Syrah, with good energy and balance. But I want to continue to drink fantastic wine.

Pax Cellars Syrah Vine Hill Vineyard 2004 * was dark purple, nearly opaque. 100% syrah from 80% new French Oak (15.55% alc/vol and a 3.85 Ojai Vineyard's White Hawk Vineyard 2004 Syrah * ditto above, but add a little spice to the mid palate. Tags: 2004 USA Central California Sonoma Napa Valley 4 stars

had never heard of this town or of this producer, and I don't usually love Grenache wines, so imagine my surprise when the 2004 Domaine Henri Milan Clos Milan simply stopped me in my tracks. This wine is 80% old vines Grenache and 20% Syrah from gravel and yellow sandstone soils that Milan is fond of comparing to that of Château Rayas.

Castiglion Del Bosco Dainero 2004 IGT?? Another blend from Il Borro of 75% Syrah and 25% Sangiovese reflects a subtle nose of red cherries, currants and leather, with hints of vanilla and a finish of spices, namely cinnamon and cloves. ??The Flavors of pear and vanilla balanced with nice acidity.?? Tenuta Il Borro Toscana 2005 IGT??

At Snooth's tasting room I had the opportunity to sample 12 Syrahs selected by Greg Dal Piaz. They were all 100% Syrah varietal, so it still amazes me how much of a range there was in the flights. 2005 LaTour Vineyards Napa Valley California Syrah 14.8% - $26.50 Please note all bottles were opened 2.5 hours before tasting).

Tenuta Il Borro Pian di Nova Toscana 2005 IGT Another blend from Ferragamo's Il Borro, this blend of 75% Syrah and 25% Sangiovese reflects a subtle nose of red cherries, currants and leather, with hints of vanilla and a finish of spices, namely cinnamon and cloves. Flavors of pear and vanilla balanced with nice acidity. alcohol content.

At snooth on Sunday afternoon I participated in a blind tasting of 12 red wines. Led by Greg Dal Piaz of Snooth, all the bottles' labels were covered and we sampled 4 flights of three each.

This wine helped us two on our goal to the Wine Century Club since it has 40% Kékfrankos, 30% cabernet franc, 15% syrah, 5% Kekoporto, 5% pinot noir, 5% cabernet sauvignon. Someone else brought in the Produttori di Barbaresco, Barbaresco 2004 ($30; find this wine ) after trying it at the wine shop Vino. It is an assignment!

Could it be that I'm just not a big fan of Syrah? Here are some of the big shots that just didn't do it for me: 2004 Chapoutier Hermitage Blanc Chante-Alouette ($90) 2005 Chapoutier Hermitage Monier de la Sizeranne ($115) 2005 Delas Fr è res Hermitage Les Bessards and Marquise de la Tourette ($?) Where was Dard et Ribo??? Small worl

Of particular interest was the 2003 Yarden Syrah - a big California style Syrah with dark fruit, this concentrated wine with big soft tannins will coat your palate and leave you with a nice long finish.  Made a trip back up to the Golan Heights today.  I even got to take a trip up a row of vines on a mechanical harvester. 

Bond "Pluribus" Napa Valley 2004 ** did not display the depth and concentration I hoped for from a 2004 Bond. Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley "Special Selection" 2006 ** Reminded me of the 2004 Shafer Hillside Select in its concentration and subtlety. is a 100% syrah from Walla Walla, Washington State. Very fine.

The 2003 is drinking great, the 2004 is delicious and the just released 2005 is gorgeous.  Yiron" , a favorite of mine for many years, whose 2004 vintage includes Cabernet, Merlot and a touch of Syrah (not technically a Bordeaux varietal). I'm sorry for the delay in writing this post.  Plus it is often sold for over $30/bottle.)

Not your typical Syrah, that's for sure. But the aromas of young Syrah fruit - bacon fat, horses, purple flowers, herbs and earth - they are all readily apparent. 2004 Domaine Pierre Amiot et Fils Morey St. This is a wine that doesn't suffer at all from the under-ripe green flavors that plague many of the 2004 reds.

Coeur D'Alene Cellars focuses mostly on the Rhone varietals Syrah and Viognier along with Cabernet Franc and the of course the usual suspects Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. We have the 2004 Coeur d' Alene Washington syrah. must confess that syrah is probably one of my favorite varietals on the planet. Idaho? Cheers

Here are some of the wines that stood out for me: 1992 Edmunds St John Syrah Grand Heritage. 2004 Produttori del Barbaresco. 2005 Puzelat Touraine La Tesni è re , a lovely smoky and funky white made of Menu Pineau, and the 2004 Puzelat Touraine La Tesni è re , a red made of Pineau D'Aunis. Same is true with wine, I would say.

Blackberry and purple color with blackberry and rich, round peppercorns on the nose. Nicely fleshy and robust in the mouth, with pepper and licorice notes. Silky and mildly sweet on the finish

Also used in the wines/blends was Tempranillo, Carignan, Cabernet, Merlot, Syrah and Tinta del Pais (which I learned is really just another name for Tempranillo). The 2006 Vina Alarba Red, made with 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah saw no oak aging and showed very nice pure fruit. But I found out today. It is in Spain. The "8.0.1

Another pick from the 25 plus wines sampled at the Murcia Tasting at the Astor Cente r this week, from Yecla, Spain, comes this blend of 50% Monastrell*, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Syrah with 10 months in French and American oak and 14% alcohol. Color is a clear, ruby red. The finish is long and smooth with oak influences.

The one that really stood out to me was the Michaud 2004 Pinot Noir from the Chalone region.  Michaud also had a 2003 Chalone Syrah that I also really thought was great.  A beautifully structured elegant & velvety Syrah with a WOW bouquet (elegantly put if I do say so myself). But it wasn't all perfect.  Very well done!

Even though this red wine from California is labeled Cabernet Sauvignon , upon further research I found that it is in fact a blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Syrah , 4% Merlot and 1% Tempranillo. Aged for 8 months in French and American oak barrels, it has smoke and cedar aromas with blueberry, plum, cherries and a hint of chocolate.

Zinfandel is a very common varietal in Sonoma county and I tried 2 Zins at Sausal; the 2004 Family Zinfandel & the 2005 Private reserve Zin. It was actually the 2004 "old vine" Estate Alexander Valley Zin that I liked most. It was nice, as was the Proprietors Cab which was blended with 24% Syrah. Serious pretension. Ahhhh.

The wines that stood out though were their Syrahs. enjoyed the 2003 Havens Syrah but mentioned to Connie that I thought the nose was a little closed. She proceeded to open a 2000 Syrah that they recently re-released and it was great. Upon arriving we started with a very nice rose' made from Zin with a little Syrah.

Lohr Estates Seven Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 This Cabernet Sauvignon from Paso Robles, California is made from 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petite Sirah, 5% Syrah, 4% Petit Verdot, 4% Merlot and 1% Malbec- quite an intense mix, but it works. Chateau Grand Moulin 2005 France This red wine from France is a blend of Syrah and Grenache grapes.

His 2004 Neiman Cellars Napa Valley Red is a blend of 1/3 Cab Sauvignon, 1/3 Merlot, & 1/3 Cab Franc. Sadly Pam was not there, but her 2005 Cab Franc & 2004 Cab Sauv were. The 2004 C & S "Stone Place" Cabernet Sauvignon also had a very nice round & velvety mouth feel. Zinfandels and 1 Syrah. don't know.

Other wines worth mentioning (listed alphabetically) Andrew Will 2006 Sorella ($53); Axios 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon * (retail $100) and 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon * ($95); Barnett 2006 Spring Mtn. Eric Baugher (left) Sean McBride (right) holding bottles of 2006 and 2007 Monte Bello. traveled down to Wasihngton D.C. French wines! Awesome.

Merlot, Cab, Syrah - been there done that. lighter wine than a Cab, merlot or Syrah, Barbera is said to be the most (or second most) planter varietal in Italy. Rather it was a 2004 (I think) Recanati Reserve Cabernet Franc. It is used in blends (often with Rhone varietals such as grenache & Syrah) to add color to red wines.

Rogov gives the 2004 the best score of the bunch, but any will do the trick at $14 or so. Definitely fruit forward, the PS/Zin can be found in the 2004 vintage and sells for between $16-$24 - yes, a wide range. It can be found for both the 2003 & 2004 vintages. The winery has since released the 2004 as well. category.

And finally the Peay 2005 "La Bruma" Estate Syrah, which I was told came from a very cool Syrah site, was also not a fruit bomb like some of the other Syrah's I tried. And their 2004 "Right Bank" Red, a blend of Cab Franc (53%), Merlot (30%), Petit Verdot (9%) & Cab Sauv (8%) was beautiful. Great stuff.

• 2004 Cayalla RTW (A nice and elegant full bodied blend of Cab Merlot and Syrah) • 2004 Gravity Hills Syrah (Cali wine reminiscent of the famous Chateauneuf De Pape of Provence) • Bookwalter Red Lot 21 (A wine with multiple vintages. March is here and with the way this winter has been going.well.I Cheers

5- 2004 Olivier Cousin Pur Breton $15 Grapes: Cabernet Franc Anjou, Loire (one of the nights winners! Flight Two: All Syrah all the Time 2005 Edmunds St. hadnt tasted it since a cellar visit in 2004 when I hated them and regretted owning any. What I was in charge of? Enlisting Melissa Clark for the food. Many thanks! hate this.

Black berry, black currant, and freshly ground black pepper complete this texturally equisite syrah. Opaque plum, medium viscosity. Prune, fresh herbs, and graphite on the nose. Totall restrained still, but spicy, loamy, and an oaky finish that goes a nice long time, buoyed by fine sweet tannin.

In addition to Mourvèdre, Cinsaut and Grenache are also widely used, and Syrah and Carignan can be included in smaller amounts, up to 10% individually or up to 15% when they're both included. 2004 Domaine du Gros' Noré , $32. 2004 Domaine de la Tour du Bon , $29. The dollar sucks and my daughter is only 1 year old. Why Bandol?

The base of most however is Grenache, often blended with Mourvedre, Syrah, & Cinsault. At that tasting we tasted through some 2004's and 2005's. This afternoon I attended a fabulous Chateauneuf du Pape (CDP for simplicity) tasting at The Tribeca Grill in downtown Manhattan. This was not one of those HUGE industry tastings.

It is a Montes "Folly" Syrah 2004, selling for $37.95.  Now we finally have a deal.  It is not cheap, but it is a bottle which elsewhere is being sold in the $60-$80 range, being sold here for UNDER $40.  I might even have to splurge outside of my normal price range to pick up a bottle or two. Enjoy & happy weekend wine drinking!

Mostly Carignan, with some Grenache and Syrah thrown in, the 2005 Domaine des 2 Anes Corbieres Fontanilles was smooth and supple, ripe and complex. We then enjoyed the 2004 Le Raisin et L'Ange Fable with BrooklynLady's hangar steak and my cassoulet. It is 100% Syrah, and 100% pure (nothing added at all -- no sulfitues, nothing.).

Washington wines have not made any kind of inroads in my cellar for two reasons: 1) they are mostly Bordeaux blends (there is plenty of Syrah and all sorts of other stuff too - I said "mostly"), not wines that I drink very often, and 2) prices are pretty high, even for the entry level wines. Primehouse New York hosted the event.

The red varietals that define this region, syrah, carignan, grenache, mouvedre and to some extent merlot and cabernet sauvignon are always blended together is some way shape or form depending on the appellation or sub-appellation. These characteristics were found in the Castello Di Meleto 2004 Chianti Classsico. Can you tell? Cheers

Well ladies and gentlemen, the results are in. will be copying a list of wines & their scores from Israeli Wine Critic Daniel Rogov's "Wine & Food Forum".  I am waiting for my physical copy of the issue to arrive before I comment specifically.  More comments later.  Without further ado, the scores.

very much enjoyed the crystalline and incredibly drinkable 2004 Vouvray, so how would the "vintage to end all vintages" 2005 be? Oregon 2004 Adelsheim Pinot Noir Goldschmidt Vineyard , $40 ( Winery ). 2004 Sineann Pinot Noir Resonance , $46 ( Avalon Wines ). I'm not taking sides in the rose debate. prefer the 04. Strange.

2004 Domaine du Closel Savennieres Clos du Papillon , $24 (Chambers Street). Rhone Valley 2004 Eric Texier Cotes Du Rhone Brezeme , $16 (Chambers Street). This lovely Syrah from Texier is an excellent value at $16. Light and lively with strong acidity, but not off-putting, as it can be in young Syrahs sometimes. Holy cow!

This is hot weather France where hardy grapes thrive, like Grenache and Mourvedre, Cinsault and Carignan, and of course, Syrah. Do they permit varying percentages of Syrah, for example, or it is an elevation and wind thing? Here are some notes: 2004 Mas de Chimeres Coteaux du Languedoc , $17. Mid-priced Midi wines, if you will.

My 5's 2004 Eric Texier Cote-Rotie , $62 - This Northern Rhone Syrah was lighter than his other reds, incredibly intense nose of roasted meat and herbs, olives and soil. 2004 Bernard Baudry Chinon La Croix Boissee , $29 - Baudry's top cuvee, from old vines in clay and gravel, aged in wood barrels. Impossible in this venue.

There is also an "entry level" wine, called Willamette Valley, a Syrah (that I have never tasted), and Labyrinth, a blend of fruit from Seven Springs and three other vineyards, Maresh, Momtazi, and Hawks View. We've been drinking mostly 2004 Oregon wines lately. Ours was the only car around, and we stopped to admire them.

Dry wines from the Collioure appellation, using Syrah, Mourvedre, and Counoise, a couple of whites here and there, and famous sweet wines from Banyuls. 2004 Domaine du Mas Blanc Banyuls Rimage , $13 for 375ml (secondary market). She told me about this red dessert wine called Banyuls. It's not Port, it's French wine. Red dessert wine?

Tim at Winecast is hosting this month, and new world Syrah is his theme of choice. have little experience with Syrah, and I don't drink much new world wine, other than Oregon Pinot Noir. So it was with an intrepid spirit and good cheer that I set out to taste a new world Syrah for WBW #30. We'll see. First, the lamb. So what?

love the grapes in the area (syrah, granache, cinsaut and mouverde) and I wanted to dig through there first. The wine is a northern Rhone Valley one hundred percent syrah from the Cornas AOC. It is estate bottled by Domaine Alian Voge and is a 2004. It is time for me to re focus. have been all over the place with these posts.