After all my recent auction fails, I was afraid to open this one. But it seems my reign of bad luck has ended. This was absolutely superb and just what I needed after a looonnng day. This wine appeared and was drinking unbelievably young for a 19 year old. Pristine cork, dark purple in the glass, intense aromas immediately on PnP. Incredible amounts of ripe black and blue fruit but with subtle tertiary notes that you might expect from an older Syrah based blend. Round and juicy on the palate with a long finish. Only gets better with some air, floral notes on the nose, savory on the palate and the fruit took on more of a mature note like blackberries and plums with Christmas spices. So good. 60% syrah and 40% merlot
The 2001 is 60% Syrah and 40% Merlot. Its big rich and complex loaded with black and blue berry fruits that are taking on more of a raisin metallic layer accented by lavender, as it ages and approaches the end of its prime drinking window.
Earlier accents of mocha, sweet oak and vanilla and spice are giving way to the tones of super ripe aged fruits, earth and leather. The blue fruits are becoming predominant.
Deep dark red, nose of black cherry, fresh cigar tobacco, and spice. Soft approach, pleasantly balanced, and smooth as velvet. Medium length finish with firm but softening tannins.
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Although my wife enjoyed, I found it disjointed. not sure if it will come together. Yes, some black fruits and spice, but not a particularly enjoyable Syrah/Merlot blend for me. Drank with grilled steaks and mushrooms.
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Excellent Cali Syrah, very well made and really delicious - Dark, full bodied with a nose of black fruit, blueberry, leather, pepper and vanilla, big, but not over the top, well structured, complex, sweet, velvety smooth on the palate with great length, excellent! (91 Points).
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This wine continues to please. It lacks sophistication, but makes up for it with its smoothness and integrated fruit. Lots of dark berries and a good bit of oak, hints of chocolate and smoke. This is a consistent crowd pleaser that would surely be panned by the cast of Sideways.
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WIML91 Tasted at an offline so quick comments only. Interesting wine. When I first stuck this to my nose I thought “Barossa Valley Shiraz”. After a little coaxing I managed to convince a few others I wasn’t totally nuts. Beautiful ripe blueberries on the nose and palate mixed up with some black cherries, mocha and cedar. I’d cellar this one for 2-3 more years before popping any more. Hedonistic wine.
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Tasted unblinded at the Vintage Wines, Ltd. tasting bar. Bright disc. Opaque black/purple robe with purple rim. Clean nose, showing very intense blackberry, black cherry, blueberry, vanilla and toasted oak. Full-bodied on the palate, with low acidity, big ripe tannins and generous toasty oak. Unfortunately, on the palate, the oak dominates the fruit which is more easily discerned on the nose. Medium, oak-laden finish. Not a bad wine, but a case where the winemaker has been too heavy-handed with the oak.
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3/3/2020 - Decanting Queen Likes this wine: 93 Points
After all my recent auction fails, I was afraid to open this one. But it seems my reign of bad luck has ended. This was absolutely superb and just what I needed after a looonnng day. This wine appeared and was drinking unbelievably young for a 19 year old. Pristine cork, dark purple in the glass, intense aromas immediately on PnP. Incredible amounts of ripe black and blue fruit but with subtle tertiary notes that you might expect from an older Syrah based blend. Round and juicy on the palate with a long finish. Only gets better with some air, floral notes on the nose, savory on the palate and the fruit took on more of a mature note like blackberries and plums with Christmas spices. So good. 60% syrah and 40% merlot
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12/22/2019 - rinnocenzi Likes this wine: 92 Points
Tasting great. Enjoy over next few years
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2/23/2019 - rmcnees wrote: 91 Points
The 2001 is 60% Syrah and 40% Merlot. Its big rich and complex loaded with black and blue berry fruits that are taking on more of a raisin metallic layer accented by lavender, as it ages and approaches the end of its prime drinking window.
Earlier accents of mocha, sweet oak and vanilla and spice are giving way to the tones of super ripe aged fruits, earth and leather. The blue fruits are becoming predominant.
https://unwindwine.blogspot.com/2019/02/lewis-cellars-alecs-blend-napa-valley.html
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2/2/2017 - RR47 wrote: 89 Points
This has come together, nose of blackberries, a bit of earth, when popped. Needs some open time. Fruit up front, ending with clean acidity.
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2/18/2013 - RR47 wrote: 90 Points
Deep dark red, nose of black cherry, fresh cigar tobacco, and spice. Soft approach, pleasantly balanced, and smooth as velvet. Medium length finish with firm but softening tannins.
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10/9/2012 - RR47 wrote: 88 Points
Although my wife enjoyed, I found it disjointed. not sure if it will come together. Yes, some black fruits and spice, but not a particularly enjoyable Syrah/Merlot blend for me. Drank with grilled steaks and mushrooms.
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1/25/2011 - xcblazer10 wrote: 84 Points
Didn't find it to be terribly well balanced. Tannins were too strong for me.
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11/13/2010 - Tarrant wrote: 91 Points
Excellent Cali Syrah, very well made and really delicious - Dark, full bodied with a nose of black fruit, blueberry, leather, pepper and vanilla, big, but not over the top, well structured, complex, sweet, velvety smooth on the palate with great length, excellent! (91 Points).
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10/31/2010 - 1800kidney wrote: 90 Points
10 yrs old and still very brutish...deep concentrated but monolithic
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5/14/2006 - goofy Yno wrote: 88 Points
simple but liked by all.
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10/4/2005 - goofy Yno wrote: 93 Points
a croud favorite. fruity and over the top but in a balanced sort of way. good if you like this sort of wine.
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8/6/2005 - rmcnees wrote: 92 Points
Full firm rich berry, currant, raspberry and sweet milk chocolate on a long smooth fruit-filled finish.
http://www.mcnees.org/winesite/journal/Archive/winesite_journal_2005_h2.htm#Aug%206
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5/12/2005 - ragtop1967 wrote: 90 Points
This wine continues to please. It lacks sophistication, but makes up for it with its smoothness and integrated fruit. Lots of dark berries and a good bit of oak, hints of chocolate and smoke. This is a consistent crowd pleaser that would surely be panned by the cast of Sideways.
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5/14/2004 - wineismylife wrote: 91 Points
WIML91
Tasted at an offline so quick comments only. Interesting wine. When I first stuck this to my nose I thought “Barossa Valley Shiraz”. After a little coaxing I managed to convince a few others I wasn’t totally nuts. Beautiful ripe blueberries on the nose and palate mixed up with some black cherries, mocha and cedar. I’d cellar this one for 2-3 more years before popping any more. Hedonistic wine.
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12/19/2003 - rmcnees wrote: 91 Points
The 2001 is 60% Syrah and 40% Merlot. Its big rich and complex loaded with blackberry fruit, mocha, sweet oak and vanilla and spice.
http://www.mcnees.org/winesite/journal/Archive/winesite_journal_2003.htm#Dec_23
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10/3/2003 - La Cave d'Argent wrote: 85 Points
Tasted unblinded at the Vintage Wines, Ltd. tasting bar. Bright disc. Opaque black/purple robe with purple rim. Clean nose, showing very intense blackberry, black cherry, blueberry, vanilla and toasted oak. Full-bodied on the palate, with low acidity, big ripe tannins and generous toasty oak. Unfortunately, on the palate, the oak dominates the fruit which is more easily discerned on the nose. Medium, oak-laden finish. Not a bad wine, but a case where the winemaker has been too heavy-handed with the oak.
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