Charles Smith
M.C.K. (Motor City Kitty) Syrah
Walla Walla Valley, Oregon/Washington, USA
I don’t drink enough Syrah but I blame that mostly on the fact that the Northern Rhônes in my cellar are aging at a glacial pace so it’s hands-off for at least a few more years. That being said, from time to time, I like to see what the New World has to offer and on this night, it was a back-to-back tasting of K Vintner’s Motor City Kitty and Reynvaan’s “Contender” with M.C.K. going first. Talk about a black pepper bomb, holy smokes! It’s on the nose and on the finish and it’s the first impression you get on the pop and pour. However, there is a core of dark fruit that is very nice and while I’m not overwhelmed by it, I appreciate its uniqueness. But man, oh man, dat pepper tho!
I don’t drink enough Syrah but I blame that mostly on the fact that the Northern Rhônes in my cellar are aging at a glacial pace so it’s hands-off for at least a few more years. That being said, from time to time, I like to see what the New World has to offer and on this night, it was a back-to-back tasting of K Vintner’s Motor City Kitty and Reynvaan’s “Contender” with M.C.K. going first. Talk about a black pepper bomb, holy smokes! It’s on the nose and on the finish and it’s the first impression you get on the pop and pour. However, there is a core of dark fruit that is very nice and while I’m not overwhelmed by it, I appreciate its uniqueness. But man, oh man, dat pepper tho!
Apr 29th, 2020This wine is very enjoyable and also very young. I opened it yesterday and I’m writing a review on it 24 hours later. Initially it was nothing but black pepper on the nose with minimal fruit and a lot of pepper. Today the pepper is subdued and there is some enjoyable red fruit. Old world and new world collide. Don’t open this for at least 5 years. It’s an amazing wine! One for the cellar for sure.
This wine is very enjoyable and also very young. I opened it yesterday and I’m writing a review on it 24 hours later. Initially it was nothing but black pepper on the nose with minimal fruit and a lot of pepper. Today the pepper is subdued and there is some enjoyable red fruit. Old world and new world collide. Don’t open this for at least 5 years. It’s an amazing wine! One for the cellar for sure.
Sep 17th, 2019Full, fruit forward, strong peppercorn note. Delightfully long finish... blueberries?
Full, fruit forward, strong peppercorn note. Delightfully long finish... blueberries?
Dec 31st, 2021
One of my all time favorites under $35 and still the only wine I buy by the case. The 2016 vintage sticks to the classic MCK and Washington Syrah notes but turn the black pepper level way up. Never tasted so much black pepper in a wine. Fantastic
One of my all time favorites under $35 and still the only wine I buy by the case. The 2016 vintage sticks to the classic MCK and Washington Syrah notes but turn the black pepper level way up. Never tasted so much black pepper in a wine. Fantastic
Nov 18th, 2019
