Wine is showing beautifully right now - paired it with chicken tiki masala. It may sound strange, but I felt an older Syrah may compliment the meal well and boy did it deliver. Tannins have softened out by now and the fruit is coming through.
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For the age of the bottle - of which has been stored at 55 since purchase - it’s amazing! Still has a lot of fruit, great finish and I think I’ll let the rest sit another year and try - I have 8 left.
Drink now or if properly stored drink in the next 2-3 years. Amazing wine!
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I hate to be redundant, but I'm sad that this is my last bottle of this vintage, too. Good year for a good wine. Deep cherry red, nice fruit, floral notes, spice and oak and soft tannin. Still drinking nicely. Please decant as there is some sediment present, but the wine was nice and open immediately after decanting.
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At Del Frisco’s Grille in TW. First had a 2012 that was corked so they replaced it with a 2010. Clean, expectantly straightforward notes of plum, leather, chocolate with a bit of a shortness is a slightly bitter finish. I have a problem with 2.5 times retail markup but given the 7+ years of age I’ll forgive. Good
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Every time I pull a bottle of this out of the cellar and open it, I have the same reaction... 'This is an amazing bottle of wine; for $12 it's an absolute steal.' Luscious, Savory, dark red/purple fruit, light graphite- a great example of what California syrah is at its best. I'm pleasantly surprised every single time.
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Tasted blind. Clear, medium (+) ruby with some purple hues. The nose is clean, with ripe red cherry, black plum, blueberry, vegetal, dried herbs, cocoa, earthy and new oak aromas. The palate is dry and consistent with the nose, with medium (+) tannins, medium acid and medium (+) (13.6%) alcohol. Overall, this pointed to a New World wine from a warmer climate, but that's as far i got. It is actually 94% Syrah, 6% Viognier. A remarkably complex wine at a very good price, this wine appears to be only half as old as it really is. Therefore, I would extend the drinking window by a couple of years.
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Group of Seven rated this syrah #1 out of 7 quality California syrahs tasted. Two firsts, three seconds. It was overwhelming 1st even though it was the cheapest bottle by $6 and cheaper by $15 than most.
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Nice big earthy and fern nose and a full and well balanced body with overtures of dark currants and worn leather. Let it breathe to enjoy the long and complex finish. Want this one again
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This is a "rustic" Syrah, with initial aromas and flavors reminiscent of a walk in the forest: cedar, pine, and wild berries. Finishes with cinnamon and vanilla. Give this wine time to aerate to appreciate its complexities.
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I love the big fruit in this. Tannins initially on the weak side. As it opens up, a touch of oak seems to come out, tannin starts to turn out, and it picks up a little heat.
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Brought back great memories of when we would wine taste here and all of the great winemakers they've launched.
All of the action is upfront in this offering. A beguiling bouquet of rosewood, cedar and spice, followed by lush fruit (blackberry, plum and blueberry) at the front of the palate that tails off at mid-palate. Finishes a touch hot. But worth the $12 bargain bin price to linger over the bouquet.
Saved half of the bottle, and things fall flat on the second night with too much stewed fruit and heat in the nose and finish.
Best as a pop 'n pour with weeknight spaghetti.
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Aromas of cherry, stewed plum, and blackberry, alongside sage and a wisp of vanilla. Starts rich, but then bright acidity and tannins bring balance amidst mocha and blackberry jam notes, and an oaky vanilla finish. Rated 92 by Wine Enthusiast, and 2009 was rated 91. A Santa Barbara County vineyard. Drink by 2020.
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Nose of anise, earth, and jammy red fruit with hints of meat. Very interesting. Palate more juicy than the nose, yet very well balanced. In a great place, went well with leftover ribs, and seems to be a great value Syrah.
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Lovely deep color on this Syrah. Once the wine had 30 minutes or so in the glass, the nose came into full and lovely bloom with dark cherry and prune aromas. Full-bodied but rather flat on the palate, unfortunately not quite delivering the complexity of the nose. Finish was shortish. For the $12 I paid, I would consider this a good value. [Second and even third day - this continued to please. For a wine to get you through the week I feel even more now this is a good bargain choice]
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Cellar clean-up. This wine has been drinking lovely, with great dark fruit, herbs and some chocolate flavors. We have only 2 bottle left, so time for another case. Great QPR for $14.10 / bottle. A house syrah wine of ours.
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Color is still a deep purple. Lovely, concentrated nose of licorice, tar and sage and thyme with some dark berry notes. Palate opulent and smooth with a nicely tapering finish. Very enjoyable now and surely drinking well over the next five years.
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This is an easy drinking wine, fruit forward with some sweetness. There is plenty of dark berries and cherry plus a hint of mushroom on the palate. It has a rather weak structure with low acidity and tannins and the finish leaves you with some caramel. Not quite my style.
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Tasty wine. Lovely and aromatic nose. Taste of dark berries and a smoky finish. Classy wine. Drank better than the glass at the Desert Botanical Gardens (too warm). Excellent with the lamb burgers, which was a better pairing than the buffalo. Drink now but could age 1-2 years more. With Andrea B, Jen and Tash in Old Town Scottsdale at 5th and Wine.
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Nearly opaque purple, going to garnet red at the rim, medium plus viscosity. Aromas of blueberry, blackberry, a little smoke, and meat. On the palate: blueberry, cassis up front, followed by beef, white pepper, earth; raspberry and smoke elements emerge more on the finish. Subtle and well-integrated tannins, and a plush mouthfeel. On the one hand, this is not overwhelmingly new world and fruit dominated: berry flavors are well balanced against good acid and aromatic elements. On the other hand, neither is it quite a classic Rhone either: while the meaty, smoky components are there, they are less up front, and not accompanied by the olive/garrigue flavors of old world Syrah. Overall, an attractive, well assembled CA take on an old world style.
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PnP let air in the glass for 30 mins. Dark purple almost saturated with a touch of crimson and a crimson rim. Smoky plum and blackberry on the nose with a touch of meat and soy. Medium weight with velvety tannins. Flavours echo the aroma with a pleasant slightly bitter herbal and cherry cough drop finish. Very youthful looking forward to trying the other half of the bottle tomorrow.
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After having spent part of the Wine Bloggers Conference at Zaca Mesa last year, when I saw this come up on Last Call Wines (for $19), I jumped on it. Glad I did. Upon opening, it was not all that interesting, but with some time in the glass (and particularly on day 2) there was more fruit (blueberry, and raspberry), spice (white pepper and rhubarb—yeah not a spice, so sue me). The finish also improved noticeably. I am going to hold on to the other three bottles for a bit hoping for more improvement. I like my chances. Very Good. thedrunkencyclist.com
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this is in a nice place right now, fragrant pepper and berries on the nose, the palate shows the dried sage I expected, along with plum, black cherry and olives, structured and backed up by toned acid, pure, syrah character, should work well with hearty meals
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3/18/2020 - SparkyMI wrote: 83 Points
It is wine.
Not good.
Weedy.
Green.
Thin.
Unpleasant.
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2/16/2020 - SparkyMI wrote: 88 Points
Ok. Thin finish.
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4/27/2019 - Drewski1975 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Wine is showing beautifully right now - paired it with chicken tiki masala. It may sound strange, but I felt an older Syrah may compliment the meal well and boy did it deliver. Tannins have softened out by now and the fruit is coming through.
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12/11/2018 - The awesome Supersomethins Likes this wine: 91 Points
For the age of the bottle - of which has been stored at 55 since purchase - it’s amazing! Still has a lot of fruit, great finish and I think I’ll let the rest sit another year and try - I have 8 left.
Drink now or if properly stored drink in the next 2-3 years. Amazing wine!
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3/11/2018 - WineKnut Likes this wine: 90 Points
I hate to be redundant, but I'm sad that this is my last bottle of this vintage, too. Good year for a good wine. Deep cherry red, nice fruit, floral notes, spice and oak and soft tannin. Still drinking nicely. Please decant as there is some sediment present, but the wine was nice and open immediately after decanting.
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3/10/2018 - guitarguy wrote: 88 Points
At Del Frisco’s Grille in TW. First had a 2012 that was corked so they replaced it with a 2010. Clean, expectantly straightforward notes of plum, leather, chocolate with a bit of a shortness is a slightly bitter finish. I have a problem with 2.5 times retail markup but given the 7+ years of age I’ll forgive. Good
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2/2/2018 - DbertCellar wrote: 90 Points
Aromas of plum, blackberry, black cherry, chocolate, and cinnamon spice. Mid tart and tannin notes. Semi dry, flavorful and nice finish.
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12/19/2017 - klezman wrote:
Another great bottle, and unfortunately my last.
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9/14/2017 - deschamp52 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Beautifully balanced fruit. Nice level of acidity, fine tannins.
Tastes more expensive than it is. A very pleasant surprise.
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9/12/2017 - Baw419 wrote: 89 Points
Nice wine for the price
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7/29/2017 - klezman wrote:
Big, dark fruit, floral, meaty. Just keeps getting better!
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4/29/2017 - redz wrote: 89 Points
I should have read my own note from a year ago, recommending long decant. PNP this time, tight, but still enjoyable
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1/4/2017 - klezman wrote:
Another great bottle - similar impressions to the last one I drank. Seems like this has hit a plateau maybe. A great value at Costco price.
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9/21/2016 - kidcracker wrote: 91 Points
Every time I pull a bottle of this out of the cellar and open it, I have the same reaction... 'This is an amazing bottle of wine; for $12 it's an absolute steal.' Luscious, Savory, dark red/purple fruit, light graphite- a great example of what California syrah is at its best. I'm pleasantly surprised every single time.
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6/19/2016 - SirYogi Likes this wine: 92 Points
Beat Syrah I've had in years
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6/6/2016 - TannicBeast Likes this wine: 89 Points
Tasted blind. Clear, medium (+) ruby with some purple hues. The nose is clean, with ripe red cherry, black plum, blueberry, vegetal, dried herbs, cocoa, earthy and new oak aromas. The palate is dry and consistent with the nose, with medium (+) tannins, medium acid and medium (+) (13.6%) alcohol. Overall, this pointed to a New World wine from a warmer climate, but that's as far i got. It is actually 94% Syrah, 6% Viognier. A remarkably complex wine at a very good price, this wine appears to be only half as old as it really is. Therefore, I would extend the drinking window by a couple of years.
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6/3/2016 - klezman wrote:
Tasty, plummy, not as rough as previous bottles. Everybody enjoyed, and bottle vanished quickly.
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3/22/2016 - Sonoma Bill Likes this wine: 95 Points
Group of Seven rated this syrah #1 out of 7 quality California syrahs tasted. Two firsts, three seconds. It was overwhelming 1st even though it was the cheapest bottle by $6 and cheaper by $15 than most.
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3/5/2016 - redz wrote: 90 Points
You can tell from the reviews who decanted, and who did not. Needed 3 hrs to open up, then lush fruit, with typical Syrah nose. Still young
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2/15/2016 - paulygator wrote: 90 Points
Nice big earthy and fern nose and a full and well balanced body with overtures of dark currants and worn leather. Let it breathe to enjoy the long and complex finish. Want this one again
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1/28/2016 - Chirality wrote: 88 Points
This is a "rustic" Syrah, with initial aromas and flavors reminiscent of a walk in the forest: cedar, pine, and wild berries. Finishes with cinnamon and vanilla. Give this wine time to aerate to appreciate its complexities.
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1/19/2016 - zpneal wrote: 60 Points
Undrinkable....smells like a wet dog and the taste isn't much better.
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12/30/2015 - TheJohnnyV Likes this wine: 91 Points
Awesome QPR. Blueberries and dark fruit. Need to find more.
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11/27/2015 - klezman wrote:
Herby, woodsy, fruity bottle.
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11/15/2015 - worbx Likes this wine:
I love the big fruit in this. Tannins initially on the weak side. As it opens up, a touch of oak seems to come out, tannin starts to turn out, and it picks up a little heat.
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11/2/2015 - Richard123 Likes this wine: 89 Points
A bit jammy on opening, but air-time toned it down. Not sure it ever fully integrated in my mind -- but it was nice enough.
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10/19/2015 - jonahfactor Likes this wine:
Brought back great memories of when we would wine taste here and all of the great winemakers they've launched.
All of the action is upfront in this offering. A beguiling bouquet of rosewood, cedar and spice, followed by lush fruit (blackberry, plum and blueberry) at the front of the palate that tails off at mid-palate. Finishes a touch hot. But worth the $12 bargain bin price to linger over the bouquet.
Saved half of the bottle, and things fall flat on the second night with too much stewed fruit and heat in the nose and finish.
Best as a pop 'n pour with weeknight spaghetti.
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10/18/2015 - Ombibulous Likes this wine:
Aromas of cherry, stewed plum, and blackberry, alongside sage and a wisp of vanilla. Starts rich, but then bright acidity and tannins bring balance amidst mocha and blackberry jam notes, and an oaky vanilla finish. Rated 92 by Wine Enthusiast, and 2009 was rated 91. A Santa Barbara County vineyard. Drink by 2020.
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10/14/2015 - klezman wrote:
Nose of anise, earth, and jammy red fruit with hints of meat. Very interesting. Palate more juicy than the nose, yet very well balanced. In a great place, went well with leftover ribs, and seems to be a great value Syrah.
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9/14/2015 - sdrum Likes this wine: 90 Points
Not too heavy, but solid fruit.
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9/5/2015 - WineCenturyAZ Likes this wine: 87 Points
Garnet in the glass with slight rim variation, Aromatic nose, softer style Syrah with blackberry, cassis and plum, finish is spicy and long.
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9/5/2015 - mats13 wrote: 90 Points
Lovely deep color on this Syrah. Once the wine had 30 minutes or so in the glass, the nose came into full and lovely bloom with dark cherry and prune aromas. Full-bodied but rather flat on the palate, unfortunately not quite delivering the complexity of the nose. Finish was shortish. For the $12 I paid, I would consider this a good value.
[Second and even third day - this continued to please. For a wine to get you through the week I feel even more now this is a good bargain choice]
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8/28/2015 - TashNYC wrote: 90 Points
Still a very tasty wine for a week night. Very good with pizza. Great QPR for $14.10 / bottle
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8/28/2015 - TashNYC wrote:
Cellar clean-up. This wine has been drinking lovely, with great dark fruit, herbs and some chocolate flavors. We have only 2 bottle left, so time for another case. Great QPR for $14.10 / bottle. A house syrah wine of ours.
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8/25/2015 - TashNYC wrote: 90 Points
Very tasty wine. Lovely dark fruit, initially herbal but then getting a nice chocolate taste, after being open for a couple of hours.
Best in the Riedel Vinum XL Syrah glasses. Not as good in the Riedel Wine Series glasses.
Great QPR for $14.10 bottle we paid (when purchased by the case).
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7/23/2015 - Ozsnapper Likes this wine: 93 Points
Color is still a deep purple. Lovely, concentrated nose of licorice, tar and sage and thyme with some dark berry notes. Palate opulent and smooth with a nicely tapering finish. Very enjoyable now and surely drinking well over the next five years.
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5/19/2015 - bambie321 Likes this wine: 89 Points
I liked this more than I thought I would. Dark fruits, a bit of pepper and smoke. Well balanced with medium tannins. Great deep color. Very enjoyable.
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4/19/2015 - Fat Lips wrote: 84 Points
This is an easy drinking wine, fruit forward with some sweetness. There is plenty of dark berries and cherry plus a hint of mushroom on the palate. It has a rather weak structure with low acidity and tannins and the finish leaves you with some caramel. Not quite my style.
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4/7/2015 - TashNYC wrote: 90 Points
Tasty wine. Lovely and aromatic nose. Taste of dark berries and a smoky finish. Classy wine. Drank better than the glass at the Desert Botanical Gardens (too warm). Excellent with the lamb burgers, which was a better pairing than the buffalo. Drink now but could age 1-2 years more. With Andrea B, Jen and Tash in Old Town Scottsdale at 5th and Wine.
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4/3/2015 - joncohen wrote: 90 Points
Nearly opaque purple, going to garnet red at the rim, medium plus viscosity. Aromas of blueberry, blackberry, a little smoke, and meat. On the palate: blueberry, cassis up front, followed by beef, white pepper, earth; raspberry and smoke elements emerge more on the finish. Subtle and well-integrated tannins, and a plush mouthfeel. On the one hand, this is not overwhelmingly new world and fruit dominated: berry flavors are well balanced against good acid and aromatic elements. On the other hand, neither is it quite a classic Rhone either: while the meaty, smoky components are there, they are less up front, and not accompanied by the olive/garrigue flavors of old world Syrah. Overall, an attractive, well assembled CA take on an old world style.
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3/12/2015 - df1962 Likes this wine: 89 Points
PnP let air in the glass for 30 mins. Dark purple almost saturated with a touch of crimson and a crimson rim. Smoky plum and blackberry on the nose with a touch of meat and soy. Medium weight with velvety tannins. Flavours echo the aroma with a pleasant slightly bitter herbal and cherry cough drop finish. Very youthful looking forward to trying the other half of the bottle tomorrow.
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1/29/2015 - The Drunken Cyclist Likes this wine: 88 Points
After having spent part of the Wine Bloggers Conference at Zaca Mesa last year, when I saw this come up on Last Call Wines (for $19), I jumped on it. Glad I did. Upon opening, it was not all that interesting, but with some time in the glass (and particularly on day 2) there was more fruit (blueberry, and raspberry), spice (white pepper and rhubarb—yeah not a spice, so sue me). The finish also improved noticeably. I am going to hold on to the other three bottles for a bit hoping for more improvement. I like my chances. Very Good. thedrunkencyclist.com
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12/12/2014 - whits wrote: 89 Points
this is in a nice place right now, fragrant pepper and berries on the nose, the palate shows the dried sage I expected, along with plum, black cherry and olives, structured and backed up by toned acid, pure, syrah character, should work well with hearty meals
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11/21/2014 - JollyWino Likes this wine: 87 Points
Dark red. Dry, spicy, full-bodied. Notes of blackberry. Fair amount of acid. Very good wine.
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11/3/2014 - wendyinwlv wrote:
Don't remember too much of it, just know it was drinkable, nothing special though.
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