Tinaquaic Vineyard Syrah

I find this to be a world class Syrah, with great tension between new world fruit and varietally correct savory notes with a beautiful floral character. Some notes of blueberries, blackberries, flowers, lavender, black pepper, and some earthy & briney tones that open after some air.

Excellent with lamb shawarma

My app crashed as I was finishing my review :(. Starting again let’s see if I can pull it all back. Ok so it begins with a lovely dark fruit, classic Syrah white pepper, and a little lavender on the nose. Silk soft tannin and a balanced structure, neither angular, nor voluptuous. Graphite and petrichor, seductively forest-y without the brett. (Even though I love it) With air it’s opening into a bit of boot polish and mahogany, a soft skirting of nori or something saline, without losing any of that gorgeous dark fruit fleshy character.

Seriously *ahem* sumptuous stuff. If I was in a typically uncharitable mood and not already a bottle deep after a lovely Valentine's Day dinner I might say this was a tad overripe. But as it is I mean how can you not love it? Blackberry coulis, iron filings, clove, and bacon fat lend this an open, lascivious aromatic character that's hard to resist. On the palate the wine is gorgeously ripe and velveteen, with meaty, savory black fruit that's still fresh and light on its feet courtesy of juicy acids and just a glimpse of granitic minerality. On the cusp of being overdone but who cares. It's scrumptious.

Dry, no fruit

White pepper, lavender, huckleberry with meaty tarry overtones. Particularly outstanding vintage of this wine!

Aimee had this a year ago

Chris had this 5 years ago