All the wines bear the signature of firm tannins that cry out for cellaring. The 2010 Clary Ranch Syrah had lots of similarities to a St. It’s the time of year when distributors and/or importers have annual (or semi-annual) portfolio tastings. Below are a few impressions and photos. The rosé has a lip-smacking acidity. Quite fun.

The Mas and its vaulted cellar built in the 17th century are the oldest buildings of the estate, and is very romantic looking. Grapes planted include Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, and Carignan. Cedric was kind enough to arrange visits to two other properties where we could see examples of how other producers run their cellars.

The focus is on international varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Syrah. Promis is 55 percent Merlot, 35 percent Syrah, and 10 percent Sangiovese (all planted on darker soils). Apparently, buying the land from a merchant family took many years and hence the name. all this gorgeous sunshine!"

Good Sauvignon Blanc plus Merlot 09 and Syrah 09. Very interesting seminar at the Symposium for Professional Wine Writers -- a "bean tasting" with various wines from Cakebread! It is based on Cakebread's American Harvest Workshop which features five innovative chefs and eight small purveyors. very balanced yet lots of luscious oak and butter.

Wine Spectator called Bob's first Cabernet Sauvignon "a Cellar Selection.". Some preferred the very elegant Syrah with steak, others the Petite Syrah or Full-bodied Chardonnay with pasta. also liked the Syrah and the 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. News cabernet franc eponymous petite sirah robert l pepi syrah

This year's best though is the Damiani Wine Cellars semi-dry Riesling 2010. blend of 40% Grenache, 25% Cinsault, 15% Carignan, 10% Syrah, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. I guess saying that 2011 was not as eventful as 2010 would be understating it a little. did get back into the gym, but have been delinquent since Thanksgiving. So, here goes.

In the fullness of time he became a butcher, then bought the farm that is today Backsberg Estate Cellars. The farm was “mixed use” (produce, grains, as well as wine) with the wine making activities on the farm established by Michael’s father Sydney with the cellars open to the public for the first time in 1970. Glen Carlou Website.

The Cellar. Corrine Michot gave us an excellent tour of the cellar, both the “old cellar” and the new cellar which is gorgeous and so high tech it even has “skylights” that allow a visitor to look up at the sky through a thin film of water, as the cellar is located below the water table. Secrets of the Cellar.

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% Our patch of sauvignon blanc from Wilson Ranch, just north of St. Helena, set a small crop likely due to rainy and cold spring conditions.

SInce I'm in NYC, I am so luck as I can go to my favorite Park Avenue Spring restaurant and have three vintages of Cabernet from their family cellar paired with four courses of chef Kevin Lasko's cuisine! The vines planted are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah. Look at the incredible aerial view of Marston Family Vineyard above.

That night, we were invited to the Chapoutier party in the cellar where we experienced incredible library wines and met a lot of trade, just a few based in New York. Unlike the Cote Rotie, where producers can add up to twenty percent Syrah to soften the grapes, most of the Syrah was pure. The second day was Hermitage.

Portugal’s entry into the EU paved the way for modernization and raised capital for winemakers, improving cellars, equipment, and vineyards. … so when you think of Portugal, you probably think of Port, yes? And it’s true, Port has been the signature drink of the country for decades. About Lisbon. Meeting Producers. Alorna.

The Mas and its vaulted cellar built in the 17th century are the oldest buildings of the estate, and is very romantic looking. Grapes planted include Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, and Carignan. Cedric was kind enough to arrange visits to two other properties where we could see examples of how other producers run their cellars.

The Cellar. Corrine Michot gave us an excellent tour of the cellar, both the “old cellar&# and the new cellar which is gorgeous and so high tech it even has “skylights&# that allow a visitor to look up at the sky through a thin film of water, as the cellar is located below the water table. The Tasting.

Who wants to drink rustic and earthy northern Rhône Syrah when it's very humid and 94 degrees outside? remembered my friend Peter telling me a little while ago that Syrah is very flexible and can work with dishes like this. So Adam dug around in his cellar and produced a fantastic bottle of wine, the 1997 Auguste Clape Cornas.

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.

The red (a blend of syrah, cinsault, grenache, cabernet sauvignon, and others) has a rich toast nose with hints of vanilla and dark chocolate, and on the palate full bodied with a finish of black licorice. Philippe and Mischa live in the “big red house’ which is a three minute drive where Mas de la Marotte. Hilaire terroir.

Though she studied winemaking and oenology at the French Wine University in Suze La Rousse, she is assisted by Olivier Nasles (oenologist consultant), Jean Louis Francone in the vineyard, and Pierre Gerin in the cellar. One of my favorites was the red Cuvee Prestige 2006, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, which is paired with the lamb.

Here is a fine Napa blend of 46% Zinfandel, 26% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Syrah, 10% Petite Sirah, 2% Charbono, and 1% Grenache. Deep violet colors in the glass, spreading to a garnet outer ring, with aromas of red berry and ripe black cherry and wafts of smoke. Robert Parker: 90 pts Wine Spectator: 92 pts Retails: $35

The two roses, one garnacha and the other a syrah blend, are available for about three Euros and quite a bargain. a limited selection of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah from different harvests. Aurora Ochoa of Penin Group and Marta Tornos Camacho of Groupo BSV. Now you know garnacha - of course you do. Day 2?? Actual humans!

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.

Our next stops were Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars and Wagner Vineyards. Back on the road and headed to Red Newt Cellars and Bistro for one fantastic lunch and of course more fantastic wines. Filled up with a few whites and also picked up one Atwater Estates Syrah. Maybe both!! Turned out to be one of the highlights of the day.

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.

He headed back up to the valley that same afternoon to make his best offer, and Cakebread Cellars was born. 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. "So what did the first winery look like?"

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.

By 1839, his first underground cellars were dug and Mr. Jacques fermented his first wine vintage. Those cellars, the oldest and largest in America, are still in use today at Brotherhood Winery. To continue Riesling month here in New York, I wanted to find something other than my favorites from the Finger Lakes region. 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.

Grass fed sirloin steak cooked this way , salsa verde, and raw kale salad in olive oil and a dab of fish sauce. -- Oma , a raw cow's milk washed rind cheese made by descendants of the original Von Trapp family, and aged in the Jasper Hills cellars. The other night my friend Peter came over for dinner. Those are assertive flavors. Sounds good.

B) With Mother’s Day soon approaching, cult winery Colgin Cellars has launched a new perfume. Partnering with Strange Invisible Perfumes, the new perfume is inspired by Colgin Cellar IX vineyardand the winery in Napa valley. The syrah will have the line “Oh sexy, girlfriend!&# What a crazy week in wine news! Floral.

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.

For this tasting I was joined by Rosemary Gray, the Champagne, Austria, Germany, and Sake wine buyer and a manager at Chambers Street Wines , Ben Hagen, the wine buyer at Slope Cellars , one of my favorite Brooklyn retailers, and Dan Melia who runs the US operations for Mosel Wine Merchant. But the inexpensive red wines of Provence? It is 12.5%

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.

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 has the mark of being made too easily (by picking out the best barrells in a cellar full of them) by a modest but artful and potent winemaker. We also tasted Maggie's cult central coast syrah, Lillian. have two bottles in my cellar, which I will wait another 3-10 to open. In 2007, in which it rained 9.5 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.

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

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.

He disappeared into the cellar and returned bearing this treasure. The horses, the skinned rabbits, the tar, the other things I think of when I think of northern Rhône Syrah - not there. I haven't had a whole lot of northern Rhône wine. It was an interesting trio - I feel like I really learned something from these particular wines.

The winery is Cline Cellars. One of the first wineries on the road to wine country, Cline Cellars is located 45 minutes north of San Francisco in Sonoma-Carneros. The tasting room is located in an 1850s farmhouse and the wine is the Cline Cellars Cashmere 2008. 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.

That was until 2009 when I bought a nice Italian vin rosso from Damiani Wine Cellars. My first stop was at the winery that raised my curiosity about their reds, Damiani Wine Cellars. One of the highlights of this year was barrel tasting, at Amy Cheatles persistence, the Damiani Syrah. 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.

Sometimes the information was slightly wrong, such as including no vintage, the wrong vintage or not specifying a red or white even though the grape was listed on the label as syrah. 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?

It's like smelling and drinking a textbook definition of Rhône Syrah: meaty, olive-y, deeply fruited, and peppery, floral hints in the background. They are bold wines that show the gamy richness and full texture one expects from Syrah, but in an unadorned and elegant style. 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. The viognier is very expressive on the nose and the overall impression is of a Northern Rhone styled wine.

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 Lamoreaux we went on to visit Wagner Vineyards, Penquin Bay Winery, Red Newt Cellars and Atwater Estate Vineyards on the east side of Seneca Lake before heading up the west side. It was at Atwater that I found the best wine of the day, the 2007 Syrah. This time it was our first visit to the "Deck the Halls" event on Seneca Lake.

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.

The 2007 Esprit de Beaucastel * is composed of mourvedre, grenache, syrah, and counoise. Tags: Cellar Selection USA Central California Good Value Paso Robles 2007 4 stars A great post at Reign of Terroir alerted me today to the need to disclose to my loyal fanbase what I recieve by way of compensation for writing Slaked! Nothing.

John Gilman, author of the newsletter The View from the Cellar , joins us again for a Q&A. But being younger than the gentleman I just mentioned, I do not have the same reserves of old vintages of white Burgundy or white Bordeaux in my cellar, and so premox has really hit my collection hard. Are these wines forcibly better?

From All Recipes; Syrah, Zin or Riesling were suggested with the different submitted recipes. The winner was; Row House Cellars White Table Wine NV, brought home from a recent visit to the White Springs Winery in Geneva NY. believe this is the first year of Row House Cellars. Alright, here's my dilemma or at least one of them.

Bottled by Crystal Valley Cellars in Yountville and blended from several different Syrahs from the area, this deep red gives up aromas of cassis, black currant, and dark berries. Flavors are full and complex, with exotic fruits like figs which make a great first impression on the palate. This is a winner in my book.

Our first stop was at Damiani Wine Cellars. 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. The first was a must do.

Summer arrived in New York with a splash -- cold and wet -- but the trains are still packed out to Montauk, the Jamaica-stop on the Long Island Railroad has traingoers negotiating the politics of seating arrangements with sweaty seniors and the disabled, and the New Jersey Turnpike is packed from north Jersey to Exit 8. Flights are delayed.

Gonon's red wines bear little resemblance to those massive Syrah's that ooze with concentrated gobs of fruit. Joseph is really is a wonderful wine, showcasing the nobility of the Syrah grape and the St. This is a Syrah from the hills of Ardèche right near St. It's not that the wines are light - they are not. Gonon's St. Joseph.

2006 Clarendon Hills Astralis Vineyard Shiraz (Syrah), McLaren Vale. 1996 Clarendon Hills Astralis Vineyard Shiraz (Syrah), McLaren Vale. 2005 Penfolds Cellar Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Barossa Valley. 2008 Sutton Grange Winery Fairbank Rosé Syrah/Cabernet/Merlot, Bendigo. 2002 Castagna Genesis Syrah, Beechworth.

So no special wine lately, nothing from the cellar, only wine that is still on retail shelves so I can return it if (when) it is corked. And what are the rules, anyway, for wine that I've cellared if it's corked? We had quite a streak, and I guess I shouldn't complain. So yes, we had been beating the odds for a while now.

In the spring of 2008 I learned that the winemaking prodigy behind Pax Wine Cellars, monsieur Pax Mahle, was leaving the eponymously named venture and striking out on his own, once again. Wind Gap is the culmination of all we have learned from working so diligently with Syrah." Rumor had it that disagreements with co-owner(?)

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.

You think I prefer those blueberry-syrahs with their overtly vanilla profiles, but let me tell you something, they've got nothing on you. Tags: Cellar Selection USA Central California 2007 4 stars Dear Sticks and Stones , Ever since that night we had together I haven't be able to get you out of my mind. It's true. I'm not playing coy.

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

The shop, designed by Paul, is a smart combination of wine shop, wine museum, tasting room and wine storage cellar. Having a Cote du Rhone designation, this Loubie Rose blend of Cinsault, Grenache and Syrah comes from 40 year old estate grown vines. Hunters Point Wines & Spirits 47-07 Vernon Boulevard Long Island City (718) 472-9463

Angelica Cellars' second vintage of Coquelicot is a winner. From the White Hawk Vineyard, this is a dark and brooding wine with sufficient concentration to warrant a serious look from the trade press. The tannins roughened up a bit after some aeration, but this has body and chewy fruit to round it out.

This is the "entry level" wine, which is a joke because it is a complete wine, ripe, complex, cellar-worthy. 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.

But his biggest experiment is with his 2008 wine called Le Cigare Volant, a blend of Grenache, Mourvedre and Syrah. But if one makes the right adjustments in winemaking (lower levels of SO2, longer aging in cellar, holding the wine in bottle longer before release) the benefits far outweigh the inconvenience. Absolutely.

Cynics and critics may take issue with a lack of secondary aromatics in these wines, but I'd challenge them to cellar the wines for a decade and then get back to me. 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

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).

We’re back with Part Deux of our interview with John Gilman, author of the newsletter A View from the Cellar ( part one is here ). How do you make a screwcap-sealed wine taste and smell like rotting cabbage or burning rubber- put it in the cellar for a few years. German Riesling. And I really don’t understand why. The Loire.

Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre, Carignan, Cinsaut, these are the most popular grapes of Southern France and vignerons (French winemakers) play around with them in the cellars to create their own identities. Ah, the Holidays. New York is full of festivities and gatherings and friends and family. Speaking of the perfect gift what about wine.

If you're into California Cult wines, then you might want to know when they come out, and how much they will cost, but there is no comprehensive release schedule for these wines -- anywhere -- and the cults themselves are the last people to ask. You aren't alone. This list is by no means complete, and it may very well be inaccurate.

Could it be that I'm just not a big fan of Syrah? Let me tell you that Lyle was completely and absolutely right about this wine - it was wonderful and totally compelling (I already purchased more for the cellar). I recently participated in the Wine & Spirits Northern Rhône tasting panel. Where was Dard et Ribo??? It was excellent.

is a 100% syrah from Walla Walla, Washington State. Cellar for 2 years and enjoy for the next decade. Lewis Cellars "Cuvee L" 2005 * This is a slightly thicker wine than the Reserve, but there is a touch of cardamom and mellow clove. Stag's Leap Wine Cellars "Cask 23" 1999 (?) love their events. Cayuse "Bionic Frog" *?

It was an especially pure test for me because I have no idea what this guy keeps in his cellar, no clue about what he likes to drink. swear to you, it didn't taste like Syrah. Here are five red wines. They could be anything from anywhere in the world. Would you like to taste and try to identify them.blind? Never met him before.

Wines that are made with organically and/or biodynamically grown grapes and with minimal intervention in the cellar - natural wines. 2) 2006 Gilles Azzoni VdP Le Raisin et L'Ange Fable (100% Ard è che Syrah for acid freaks). Jenny & François' tasting is something that I have come to look forward to. And then there is Binner.

Coeur D' Alene Cellars founded in 2002 is located in Coeur D'Alene Idaho just east of the Northeastern border of Washington State. 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. Idaho? Yes, Idaho.

Here are some of the wines that stood out for me: 1992 Edmunds St John Syrah Grand Heritage. This is the one that I must buy for my own cellar. should pull the few bottles I have out of the cellar and drink them over the next year or two. The more I learn about wine, the more I realize that I don't know. Who knew. Raveneau.I

Trinitas Cellars has multiple sources around Contra Costa County, California, with some of the best vines as much as 120 years old. The 2005 Old Vine Cuvee is made from 37% Mataro, 24% Zinfandel, 18% Carignan, 13% Petite Syrah and 8% Alicante Bouschet. This is an amazing deal for $18

This bottle was purchased for me in Tuscany on release and was stored in my cellar since. I'd always enjoyed Argiano's wines, and I was disappointed to learn that the brunellos had - just maybe - been doctored with cabernet, merlot, or syrah. But even if that was true, this was just too good to ignore.

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

Like many a Chatanuef du Pape, the best of Cote Rotie are very pricey yet amazingly have cult followings and need many years of cellaring before it is truly approachable and at its best. Wines 3-6 years following their vintage have often had time in barrel, more time in the winery (in bottle) and a few years of cellaring.

After the deBord Attack » Meet the Sean Hannity of the Wine World May 13, 2008 [link] I wish on Mr. Matt, nothing else in his cellar but Au Bon Climat, Flora Springs, Joseph Phelps, Far Niente and Ridge. was particularly shocked by the wines made of Syrah as the overt oak influence killed off all of its glorious varietal character.

The wine is then kept in the winery cellar for 18 months before being released. Although Ridge is known for their Zins they do make other very fine wines and we were started off with a Chardonnay and finished with a Cab/Merlot blend and finally a Petit Syrah. It was nice, as was the Proprietors Cab which was blended with 24% Syrah.

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. So off to Chase Wine Cellars to visit my (new) friend Jeff Blaum. Nice wines. Good stuff.

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.

tasted some nice Chardonnays by Foxglove/ Varner Wines , L'Angevin , DuMol and Neiman cellars. Drew Neiman of Neiman Cellars is someone I had not met before, but whom I engaged in conversation as I noticed a wine I was familiar with on his table. Syrahs & 2 Cab's were tried at the tasting. Zinfandels and 1 Syrah.

It may need a little time to cellar? Eric Baugher (left) Sean McBride (right) holding bottles of 2006 and 2007 Monte Bello. traveled down to Wasihngton D.C. April 12 for the Twenty-third California Futures Tasting at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, featuring wines from 48 producers' 2006 vintage, plus a number of additional samples. Awesome.

Flight Two: All Syrah all the Time 2005 Edmunds St. John, From Parkers Wine Advocate Im going to get more articulate on this one but when it was first opened, it was shy, with some fruit fowardness and not that much animal syrah character. hadnt tasted it since a cellar visit in 2004 when I hated them and regretted owning any.

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. On the third day open, probably a good proxy for cellaring 10 years, the wine has lovely floral and black licorice notes. Why Bandol?

Mostly Carignan, with some Grenache and Syrah thrown in, the 2005 Domaine des 2 Anes Corbieres Fontanilles was smooth and supple, ripe and complex. 100% Syrah, it is a Vins de Pays de L'Ardeche, a country wine from the hilly region in the middle of the Rhone Valley, sort of bisecting it into Northern and Southern Rhone. It is all tank.

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.

Maybe you are visiting friends and they pull something out of the cellar for you to try. If, for example, your topic is Washington syrah, then the ringer might be a syrah from Paso Robles. I just read a great article on wine tasting groups. Paul Gregutt. Special to the Seattle Times. There is nothing wrong with any of that.