For example, let's pretend I have just poured you a glass of 2006 Smoking Loon Pinot Noir from California. The wine is a blend of Syrah, Carignan, and Grenache from Corbieres!" Quick! What is one of the most sensual, aromatic products in the world, right up there with exquisite perfume and exotic flowers? Wine, of course. Well done!"

2006 very extracted with smoke, plums, tobacco, and seductive ripe fruit; - 2007, very smooth with notes of spice and vanilla – incredible integration and balance; 2009 showed very well, very powerful and extracted with a substantial mouth feel and good tannic structure. Grapes planted include Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, and Carignan.

2006 Alban Vineyards "Reva" Estate Syrah * This 16.2% alcohol syrah from Edna Valley is just a monster. 2006 Turley Wine Cellars Howell Mountain Zinfandel "Rattlesnake Ridge" A whopping 15.9% stars edna valley Crosby Roamann 2009 2006 3 stars Napa Valley 4 starsWe are currently estimating about 2-2.5

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.

Their 2006 Collioure Magenca Rouge is a blend with grenache, mouvedre, and carignan - all old vines. He grows Carignan, Syrah, Mouvedre and Grenache. 80%grenach and 20% syrah from shale. The last wine is 2007 Les Trois Maries with 80% grenache, and 20% syrah from granite soil. The horse is working, enjoying the sea."

After a few beer nights, I finally was able to open, taste and drink two remaining red wines I have received from Cinnabar Winery; the 2008 Sextant Vineyards Syrah and the 2006 Santa Cruz Mountains Cabernet Sauvignon. We did the Syrah first with a light dinner of breaded chicken fingers with a mix of steak and sweet potato fries.

Red wine varietals that tend to benefit from a good bit of oak include: Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinotage, Chianti, Zinfandel, Nebbiolo, Tempranillo and Syrah. It’s only been since 2006, that oak chips have been legally permitted for use in Old World winemaking practices. Which Wines are Typically Oaked? Why Oak Wine?

This Nero d'Avola & Syrah blend shows deep violet colors with a floral signature on the nose, woven with fruity blackberry preserve, black plum, black pepper and smoke. Flavors of ripe cherry, a tangy balsamic sweetness and lingering dark chocolate on the finish supported by silky and soft tannins and a vibrant acidity.

Beyond the Sauvignon Blanc which is also distinctive by its bottle (designed to capture the 1855 Bordeaux bottle with its deep punt), the winery makes excellent Cabernet Sauvignon and also Syrah. was able to try the 2006 and 2007 Obsidian which is grown on sandy soil. "Have you tasted their Sauvignon Blanc? It rocks!"

2006 Wilson Cabernet Sauvignon. 2007 Dierberg Syrah Estate Grown Santa Ynez Valley (USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Ynez Valley). 2006 Star Lane Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon. This week I've tasted some excellent wines! USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley). color - purple, medium intensity, med trans. 8 views).

From Mendoza, Argentina the Bressia family produces this blend of 50% Malbec, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot and 10% Syrah. What a powerful first impression?! This wonderful red reminds me why I love wine so much. Sumptuously textured and revealing a complex and memorable finish

One, the Carmenere, has been disappointing, but the Zinfandel, Syrah and the Peitie Sirah have joined the list of my favorites. My best Rosé - Heron Hill Cabernet Franc Dry Rosé 2006. Best Red wine - Viticcio Chianti Classico Riserva 2006. Here at home, I guess eventful would be saying it a tad mildly. Now for my best of 2010.

Mazzocco Sonoma Petite Syrah Aguilera 2007. Wilson Cabernet Sauvignon 2006. Blackstone Sonoma Reserve Pinot Noir 2009. With its velvet texture, nose of well sorted fresh grapes, and fresh flavors, this is a well balanced New World Pinot that can match many foods, especially salmon, pork, rare duck. Macari Sauvignon Blanc 2009.

and with dessert we sampled two delicious Vin Santo: Badia Di Morrona VinSanto Del Chianti 2006 DOC 70% Trebbiano, 15% Malvasia Bianca, 15% Colombana, after the harvest, grapes are selected and hung from the ceiling until January, then aged in caratelli (small kegs) for 3 years, beautiful golden colors with apricot and almond bouquet.

Grapes planted include Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, and Carignan. “A French insurance company owns a Chateau?&# the woman’s voice says, incredulous. This is the exciting thing that happened to me and four other students in the Master of Wine educational program who won a scholarship based on essays we submitted. The Control Room.

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.

Made with a blend of 80% Malbec, 17% Syrah, 2% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 1% Merlot, very dark, and lush opaque blackberry colors, and plumy syrupy textures. Tannins, which are strong at first, allow for good aging but do settle down nicely to reveal a fruity and lush Malbec blend

Do you like Greek wines? do … they come in a variety of styles and price points and pair well with a wide variety of food. Typically they are also a very good value for the money, especially when it comes to reserve wines where you can still get a 1997 red with full development for just over $20.

One of my favorites was the red Cuvee Prestige 2006, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, which is paired with the lamb. “You must have some fresh Truffles on toast!” says attractive blond Valérie Rousselle-Riboud, looking very glamorous and jet-set in a chic white dress. Or at least that party scene in The Great Gatsby.

Here are the wines we drank, first: 2006 Auguste Clape Cornas. The first thing I learned is that the 2006 Clape Cornas is not a wine that appeals to me, and I found little that identified it as Cornas. Recently I attended a small dinner organized by Michael Wheeler and Joe Salamone and Stephen Bitterolf of Crush. Hermitage? Côte Rôtie?

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.

A Blend of 60% Sangiovese, 20% Merlot, and 20% Syrah, with colors of ruby red, the Syrah contributing to the spicy character, the Merlot expressing the dark round fruits, while the Sangiovese displays undergrowth on a forest floor uncovering herbal notes. Tags: ruffino Syrah Sangiovese merlot

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.

served with pasta and ultra-fresh peas and morels, 2004 Merlot (the real winner)and the 2006 Syrah paired with Steak, and the 2008 Zinfandel served with the dessert course shown below. it's always fun to sit next to a winemaker / winery owner during a wine dinner at a top restaurant like Park Avenue Spring in New York City.

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.

Now this is a relatively new region producing quality wines, among them Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Syrah, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and "Yarden Rom" which is a blend of Syrah, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot (percentages depending on the vintage), aged in French oak barrels for roughly 21 months and bottled without filtration.

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.

was able to try many of their wines, with all of them scoring high points and my favorites being the 2007 Syrah, both the Rusack Syrah with incredible smoke, fig, licorice and fig, and the 2007 Syrah Reserve, with more concentration, complexity of flavor, and judicious wood influence.

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.

Lot 135 Central Coast Syrah 2007 $12 Animal, bright fruits, dark berries, strawberries, red licorice. Lot 154 Lake Country Zinfandel 2006: new release $13 Bubblegum, vanilla, banana and blueberryCameron Hughes is a Negociant in the wine world, delivering small "Lots" of high-end wines at very affordable prices.

Makes sense I guess - the wines start at $25 for a VdP and go up to over $50 for his top wine, a gorgeous Syrah blend called Clos Milan. Some wines sell themselves. Consumers know about and want these wines, and do not require any discussion with sales staff in order to buy. don't think so. How else can you move the wine?

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.

Here are the wines we tasted, with a few notes: Three of us picked the same wine as our favorite, the 2006 Delille Vin de Pays du Mont Caume Terre d' Omb re , $17, Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant. blend of Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon, I found bright citrus fruit on the nose - think persimmon, and also some very prominent sandalwood aromas.

I'm leaving Chile(till later) and heading over to California to try a few more Zin's. I'm starting to surprise myself with what I am finding with Zinfandel and also a bit disappointed that I wasted so many years with such a limited selection or narrow palate. Deep dark fruit aromas with some cherry. Hey, you're never too old to learn.

While Merlot’s fall from grace can be traced to one line in the movie Sideways , the fall of Syrah has been more difficult to track. Even more broadly, it’s still a tough sell: producers and retailers have repeatedly told me that save for a few appellations in the Northern Rhone, the homeland of the grape, Syrah remains a sluggish category.

Wölffer Estates 2006 Fatalis Fatum 42% Merlot, 29% Cabernet Franc, 27.5% Clovis Point 2007 Archaeology 56% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Cabernet Franc, 6% Petit Verdot, 6% Syrah, whew! Since then its rise in popularity is obvious as visitors now call before-hand to ask what other events are happening. million per year.

The Arboleda 2006 was more full bodied with lots of earth, green pepper and tobacco. 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. I'm still not sold on Carmenere.

We also tasted Maggie's cult central coast syrah, Lillian. The 2006 (which I had previously tasted blind against Danforth's 2003 Sonoma Syrah ) is blackberry in color with musk and blood and pure ripe fruit on the nose. Tags: Cellar Selection Central California 2006 3 stars Oregon 2007 2008 4 stars spice?)

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.

Instead, I uncorked an Arboleda Carmenère 2006 from the Colchagua Valley of Chile. The Arboleda Carmenère 2006 was purchased locally for $19 Vintage: 2006 Appellation: Chile Wine pH: 3.61 Wish I had a nice Canadian wine tonight so I could toast the Canadian Olympic Hockey Team on their winning of the Gold medal. Wine Acidity: 5.31

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.

The 2006 vintage of that same wine, a fuller style of Blaufränkisch, now sells for about $130 per bottle in the U.S. The 2006 Spitzerberg ($45, next time you’re passing by a Vienna wine shop) has delicate, alluring floral aromas with fresh, vibrant acidity. euro) a bottle. Things have changed. Smart moves.

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.

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.

One of the highlights of this year was barrel tasting, at Amy Cheatles persistence, the Damiani Syrah. Tried to convince her that I am not a Syrah fan. That vintage was not bottled, but I started buying and tasting quite a few Syrah and did my first Syrah review this month. was afraid to open them.

This Napa Valley Syrah made by winemaker Heidi Peterson Barret has deep blueberry colors, with lot's happening on the nose: roasted marshmallows, tar, blackberry jam, black plum, rosehips, strawberries and eucalyptus. Tags: Syrah Heidi Peterson Barret napa valley fairly high alcohol content at 15.3%.

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.

For the wines it did recognize, sometimes the data was woefully unhelpful: A Lapierre Morgon 2006 appeared only with a reference to its importer: “Unknown Kermit Lynch wine.&# You just brought home a mixed case of wine from the store. Already, things are looking good. Or just for keeping all your tasting notes handy and organized?

Joseph rouge (2006, 2007) and the thing that always strikes me when I drink these wines is the absolute clarity of their expression. It's like smelling and drinking a textbook definition of Rhône Syrah: meaty, olive-y, deeply fruited, and peppery, floral hints in the background. Joseph. I've had two vintages of the St. alcohol. Joseph.

At Buttermilk Channel recently we ordered a 2006 Grammercy Cellars Lagniappe Syrah ** from Columbia Valley, produced by Master Sommelier Greg Harrington. Tags: 2 stars USA 2006 Washington State The viognier is very expressive on the nose and the overall impression is of a Northern Rhone styled wine.

The first one I opened was the Martellotto 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine is 85% Cab/Sauv, 10% Merlot and 5% Syrah which gives it a nice fruity and peppery finish. The second bottle was an Agent for Change 2006 Zinfandel. Such was the case with one of the two wines received from Martellotto Wines.

But I decided that Syrah, particularly young Syrah, which is all I own, would overpower everything but the bacon. lovely Bourgogne, not as impressive as the 2006, as the 2007 doesn't seem to handle its wood treatment as well, but lovely nonetheless. Bound it all together with a good glug of the pasta cooking water.

Actually this is a blend of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Syrah and 4% Merlot and made from grapes from Mendocino, Lake County and Napa County (45%, 30%, 25%). This red from California is from the second flight at Snooth's Cabernet Blind Tasting last week. alcohol and $12.99.

This was my favorite from the first flight at the Snooth Cabernet tasting last week. Initially, beautiful dark ripe blackberry aromas assault together with wafts of berries, and hints of vanilla, spices and cassis. 15% alcohol and $16.99

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.

From the South of France sails this 50/50 blend of Syrah and Grenache, made by 2 brothers who sailed around the world for 2 years and decided on their return they would fulfill their lifelong dream and make wine together. land ho

An approximately equal blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah from the great producer in Var in the Côtes de Provence. With an hour open the Syrah blossoms and the nose shows a distinct animale side, full of pheromones. 2006 Château Jean-Pierre Gaussen Vin de Pays du Mont Caume , $10, Moonlight Wines Imports. love this wine!

Glycerine aromas mark this smooth Grenche and Syrah blend from Cotes-Du-Ventoux, super balnced with a slight pepper edge. The grapes are Grenache (80%) and Syrah (20%). On the other hand, Syrah is fermented by only the vintage wine in order to fully bring out the fruity aromatic power of this type of vine.

Winter-Spring 2009 Cult Wine Release Schedule with pricing (where available) January Ridge Monte Bello 2007 $125 Quilceda Creek 2005 $140 Kistler 2006 avg. 85 Sloan 2005 $1100/3-pack OWC Blankiet 2006 $185 (old vintages of this wine sell for $85. Why would anyone purchase the 2006 as a future release for 250% of the 2001?)

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!

2006 Petaluma Piccadilly Valley Chardonnay, Adelaide Hills. 2006 By Farr Sangreal Pinot Noir, Geelong. 2006 Henschke Mt Edelstone Shiraz, Eden Valley. 2006 Glaetzer Anaperenna Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon, Barossa Valley. 2006 De Bortoli Noble One Botrytis Semillon, Riverina. 2006 Shaw + Smith Shiraz, 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(?)

40% Syrah, 30% each Grenache and Cinsault. There is a slightly peppery, salt pork nuance that I assume comes from the Syrah. 2006 Château Font du Broc Côtes de Provence Rosé , about $23, Imported by Meilleurs Vins de Provence. 60% Mourvèdre, 20% Carignan, 15% Syrah, and 5% Grenache. Really a lovely wine.

Difficult to compare to recent vintages (which have all included at least some cabernet franc or petit verdot) this is less flamboyant than the 2006 and 2007, and will benefit from extended cellaring. The 2007 Lytton Estate Syrah/Grenache ** is also tight, almost light, almost too searing, with blue fruits and tons of tannin.

The 2006 Le Cigare Blanc showed "quince and a little bit of spear mint." By contrast, I very much enjoyed the 2005 Syrah Le Pousseur **/ An elegant, restrained, but ripe and very purple wine, with a finish that made my teeth Zzzzzzzing! Maybe it will turn out great, maybe not. There is, apparently, a lot to learn about Bonny Doon.

From a central California vineyard, Sine Qua Non's 2006 Grenache Raven Series (8% syrah, 26% whole cluster fermented and aged in about 40% new French oak) is a purple color turning ruby on the rim - not opaque - but there is a certain density to the color here. Tags: Cellar Selection USA Central California 2006 3 stars

Tags: 2 stars USA Central California 2006

50% zinfandel, 45% petite syrah, 5% charbono. Winemakers Notes: process | sustainably farmed grapes | 50% zinfandel, 45% petite syrah, 5% charbono alcohol | 14.5% Mattern Ranch, located on the Talmage Bench east of the Russian River, provides dry-farmed old vine Zinfandel and a younger planting of Petite Syrah. pH | 3.65

2006 Weinhof Scheu Spätburgunder , $18, Savio Soares Selections. Syrah, and Grenache. 2006 Mas des Chimeres Coteaux du Languedoc , $20, Louis/Dressner Selections. 75% Syrah, some Grenache, Cinsault, and Mourvedre make up the balance. Classic peppery and meaty Syrah, with good energy and balance.

cool bottle : “Syrocco&# Syrah 2006 (Zenata, Morocco) - eye-rolling aside at the clever, rhyming name, the wine is a great value at $16.99. Christy Frank of Frankly Wines –last seen in front of her cork wall –returns with some answers to a few of my questions about the possible changes NY wine retail.

While that wind blowhards the bean pole-like vines of syrah, it doesn't hold a candle to what whips around Languedoc's St. the 2006 Le MAs is cedar Every time I'm knocked about by the Mistral, the powerful wind of Provence and the Rhone, I remember that I forgot its intensity. That and the cold? The wine is a Jenny & Francois.

This weekend at The Boston Wine Expo Gary Grunner, from Grapes On The Go, exhibited the following Italian wines from the Ferragamo family's Tuscan vineyards, Il Borro and Castiglion Del Bosco: Il Borro Lamelle Chardonnay 2006 IGT ??This Flavors of pear and vanilla balanced with nice acidity.?? Castiglion Del Bosco Dainero 2004 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).

From Bodegas Agustin Cubero in the Calatayud region of Spain comes this VERY dark, VERY opaque, VERY purple wine that is made from 100% Syrah grapes. Tags: Syrah Nero D'Avola The Wine Room of Forest Hills Spain Calatayud Reminiscent of a Sicilian Nero D'Avola. Layered and complex and with a long finish.

This red wine, done in the southern Rhone style but in a California terroir, is a blend of 55% Syrah and 45% Grenache. Lots of ripe strawberry aromas with hints of field herbs like violets and lilacs, and spicy flavors of white pepper woven between layers of blueberry and rhubarb pie.

The six wines I tasted were: Il Borro Lamelle Chardonnay 2006 IGT This Chardonnay has a pale yellow color, fruity rich aromas of apple and peach with notes of floral & lemon. The wines simplicity make it an attractive blend that utilizes the best of both grapes, Syrah for a rich spiciness and Sangiovese for an earthy freshness.

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.

The Belpoggio "Stupor Mundi" Rosso Piceno 2006 ** is a 12.5% Loup blend of Syrah (55%), Grenache (35%) and Mourvedre (10%), it's produced by the firm Ravaille Freres." I have two Italian and two French reds on the table tonight. by alcohol dry red wine from the east coast of Italy -- check this map. Check him out. Cheers

Could it be that I'm just not a big fan of Syrah? There were honestly only two reds that truly excited me: 2006 Alain Graillot Crozes-Hermitage ($33) - Clean and pure fruit, herbs, olives, bacon in the background, good balance, a wine clearly meant to drink with food. Most of the reds were just too enormous for me. It was excellent.

really liked his ‘06 Saint Joseph, “Les Serrines,&# which is made from small berry Syrah and has great aromas of tar and black olives on the nose. Vintages 2006 and 2007 were nearly 15%. find this wine ). Condrieu (and Saint Joseph for reds). New oak, good or bad? It’s very difficult to work with new oak. percent.

Bianco Gentile VdT 2006 Almond, nut and a delightful bitterness in the finish. Carco Rouge 2006: Floral and tannic with refreshing acidity. Tinto Rochere 2006 Old vine garnacha mostly and the nose is compelling. Dard Ribo Crozes-Hermitage Blanc 2006 A stormy wine filled with edge. FINALLY! Great little wine. And now.we

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.  A wine I had been looking forward to trying and was rewarded with was the 2006 Galil Mountain Barbera. 

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. DuMOL "Finn" Pinot Noir 2006 ** Garnet color, with underlying minerality and sour cherry notes on top. love their events. Lail "J.

The first wine we opened was a 2006 Chateau Lafont Menaut Pessac-Leognan Bordeaux Blanc.  of Syrah was very interesting.  A Sangiovese/Syrah/Cab Franc blend was intriguing and determined to be a great food wine.  While I went away (within Israel) for the sabbath to a friend of the family.  Emillion Grand Cru.  Chateau Latour. 

From the Paso Robles region of California where owner and Winemaker Stephan Asseo makes this Rhone blend of 40% Mourvedre , 30% Granache and 30% Syrah comes this ruby red from 100% estate grown fruit aged in French oak for 14 months. With a subtle nose comes forth spice, red fruits and a slight slate or chalk aroma. Unfined and infiltered.

2) 2006 Gilles Azzoni VdP Le Raisin et L'Ange Fable (100% Ard è che Syrah for acid freaks). 4) 2006 Est é zarques Côtes du Rhône Villages Les Genestas (same wine coop, I like this one even better). Jenny & François' tasting is something that I have come to look forward to. And then there is Binner. ll take it.

2006 Marcel Lapierre Morgon , $23, Kermit Lynch Imports. 2006 Gilles Azzoni Vin de Pays de l'Ardèche Le Raisin et L'Ange Fable. 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. It's part of their style.

It is a wine that is sometimes added to red wines such as Syrah (in small quantities) to soften the wine. It is entirely possible that this 2006 Viognier is simply not showing well right now. I've recently begun to work with a wine distributor. As part of my work I visited a store that is among the distributor's top customers.

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

Deep purple rose in color, It is a blend of 60% Syrah , 20% Grenache , 10% Mourvedre and 10% Carignan and is designed to go well with food, especially duck or lamb. I sampled this French red wine at the Alsace & Rhone Wine Expo this week, poured by the vintner, Luc Baudet. Enjoyed this one very much

Here's a red wine from the Murcia Tasting at the Astor Center this week, from the Bullas region of Spain , a blend of 60% Monastrell , 35% Syrah , and the other 5% is not indicated on the spec sheet. Aged for 14 months in French oak and 6 months in the bottle, the first image to imprint itself on my senses is that of roasted red meats.

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). A winery owned and run by the Michlits family, I tasted two of their 2006 wines with the winemaker.  But it wasn't all perfect. 

The 2006 Chardonnay spends 3 months "Sue Lie" (on its lees or mixture of yeast cells, grape pulp, etc), gets filtered, and then goes back into the French oak barrels for another 7-8 months. But the 2006 Ponzo vineyard Zin showed ripe cherry on the nose and fresh cherry & berry flavors on the palate. That said the wines were nice.