Syrah Blend

Domaine Jean-Louis Chave

Hermitage Syrah 2008

Excellent 08. Chave and Allemand really nailed the difficult vintage in Northern Rhône, and 2008 Hermitage is showing beautifully tonight, fresh, elegant and detailed with aromas of juicy red berry fruit, bacon, roasted herbs and smoky minerals. While not an exceptionally deep and concentrated rendition in 2008, it’s really a considerable success, and it’s fully open, giving and ready to drink. — 8 days ago

Russ, Jan and 13 others liked this
Neil Valenzuela

Neil Valenzuela

Wow!! 🤩

Château Haut-Brion

Pessac-Léognan Red Bordeaux Blend 2016

Medium ruby , slighter narrower ruby / pink rim , a little less bright . Slightly deeper , darker fruits , blueberry, violets , with scorched earth , mineral and grafite . On the palate , more intensity and power perhaps , more noticeable though still velvety tannin , dark fruits , mineral , saline , fresh cigar. Lovely fresh acidity , balanced alcohol . Long saline , mineral tinged, slightly toasty finish . Needs time obviously , but will be one of the great wines from a great vintage in 20 years, just wait — 7 days ago

Jan, Scott@Mister and 14 others liked this

Château de Beaucastel

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhône Blend 2006

Age is this bad boys friend. Rich black fruit on the nose. Smooth and buttery tannins. Blackberry is dominant Macerated black olive on the mid palate with eucalyptus on the longer finish.  — 3 days ago

Shay, Bob and 7 others liked this

Domaine Jamet

Côte-Rôtie Syrah 2012

Another great btl of this vintage consistent with my prior notes showing clean & pure aromas of dark cherry, raspberry, smoked meat, bacon fat with savory spice, graphite, pepper, olive & violet — 8 days ago

Ira, Jeroen and 10 others liked this

Château Rayas

Réservé Châteauneuf-du-Pape Grenache Blend 2011

Almost perfect. Stewed fruit, great bitterness, extremely round and perfect tannins. Close to a grand cru burgundy in a good year with 10-15 years of age. — 14 days ago

Jan, Brecht and 1 other liked this

Château Léoville Poyferré

Saint Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 2008

Dark dark ruby. Tannins holding strong, a bit tight at the open, but loosens up to a wonderful silky mouthfeel. Black fruit in balance with minerality. Lovely wine but tonight I preferred the Pape Clement. — 4 days ago

Joe, Ira and 4 others liked this

Apothic

Winemaker's Blend California Red Blend

Drank on Marmon. Sat well with me and easy to drink — 17 days ago

Paul Jaboulet Aîné

La Chapelle Hermitage Syrah 1989

This was still incredibly youthful. Would never have guessed ‘89. — 5 months ago

Marchesi Antinori

Tignanello Toscana Super Tuscan Blend 2020

Decant and pour. They broke out the Giant glass.....black cherry, leather, tobacco, pepper, dried herbs, cedar, and tannic. Should round out over time. YUM! Super Tuscan tonight to start our Napa weekend...who woulda thunk. — 2 days ago

Brenda Terzich-Garland
with Brenda
Tom, Brenda and 13 others liked this

Château Mouton Rothschild

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1986

Initially this was incredibly closed, but after 2 hours in the decanter it’s starting to open, tannic, very structured, very 1986 in its leanness, but incredible depth and length, not perfect, but still outstanding!! — 8 days ago

Jim Powers
with Jim
Tom, Ron and 11 others liked this
Bob McDonald

Bob McDonald Influencer Badge

Lean doesn’t sound so good.
Doug Powers

Doug Powers

@Bob McDonald, I personally have mostly felt that 1986 Bordeaux reds have always shown super tight and structured, but without the riper, rounder fruit of other vintages like 1982, 1985, 1989 and 1990) — so, my use of “lean” is really intended to convey that the fruit never completely overcomes the harsh tannins and structure. I would say that after a few hours in the decanter, I’d be pretty confident that it will easily last another 10-20 years, or more. Ultimately I like my Bordeaux to show a little more elegance and charm. Hope that helps.
Bob McDonald

Bob McDonald Influencer Badge

@Doug Powers Thanks for your thoughts Doug. I recall Jancis commenting on this wine “wondering if the tannins would ever resolve”. Obviously built for the ultra long haul. I might try my first one in the next year or so.