Bevan Cellars
Dry Stack Vineyard Syrah
Oakville, Napa Valley, California, USA
Monthly WTF wine group meet up. Theme was “bring something good”. All wines (minus the bubbles and SB) were tasted blind.
This was in the running for WOTN. A great example of a wine at its peak. I guessed this was a 5-7yr old WA state cab, along the lines of a Force Majuere. Not funky or savory. Sweetened red cherries, stewed blackberries, graham cracker, Mexican vanilla and shaved dark chocolates. Delicious.
Monthly WTF wine group meet up. Theme was “bring something good”. All wines (minus the bubbles and SB) were tasted blind.
This was in the running for WOTN. A great example of a wine at its peak. I guessed this was a 5-7yr old WA state cab, along the lines of a Force Majuere. Not funky or savory. Sweetened red cherries, stewed blackberries, graham cracker, Mexican vanilla and shaved dark chocolates. Delicious.
Wow...this is definitely the year to drink your '07 Drystack Syrah! It is at the peak of its plateau - racy, velvety, gamey, and demanding. Its fruit, acid, and tannin balance was perfect - lovely grilled meat, decaying lavender and vanillin spices, with loads of baked fruit and juicy black plum. The richness and tannic qualities had finally dialed down a notch to become a serious elegant wine. Kinda wish I had another bottle of this because it was my last one, and I'm happy and sad at the same time that it is gone. Thanks Russell Bevan for another great wine.
P.S. thanks for the inspiration to finally open my last one, ha. Now you just need to buy me some more because I fell in love again! @Ron R
Wow...this is definitely the year to drink your '07 Drystack Syrah! It is at the peak of its plateau - racy, velvety, gamey, and demanding. Its fruit, acid, and tannin balance was perfect - lovely grilled meat, decaying lavender and vanillin spices, with loads of baked fruit and juicy black plum. The richness and tannic qualities had finally dialed down a notch to become a serious elegant wine. Kinda wish I had another bottle of this because it was my last one, and I'm happy and sad at the same time that it is gone. Thanks Russell Bevan for another great wine.
P.S. thanks for the inspiration to finally open my last one, ha. Now you just need to buy me some more because I fell in love again! @Ron R
It's like this wine was crafted by an angel, who aged it in the finest oaks that once held the tears of that very angel. Grapes used were the 877 clone, 100% Syrah, and it was aged in French oak. Only 250 cases of this bad boy were made. First off, the cork is covered in dark purple sediment due to the wine being unfiltered, and extremely dark and viscous in the decanter. The nose is highly aromatic, filled with notes of smokey vanilla, mulled blackberries, a touch of ethanol, and cloves. Upon entry, the pallet is a plush, mouth filling, velvety liquid. It exhibits notes of luxardo cherries, dark ripe plum, iron minerality, Mediterranean spice ball, and a finish that lingers for at least a minute. This is my first time trying a red wine made by Russell Bevan, and I am astounded. Even after 8 years, it is still singing of its youth, and I can't wait to try another bottle after several more years!
P.S. @Kyle Groombridge ,thank you for informing me where to find this jewel!
Post add in:
The nose developed even more after a few more hours in the decanter, evolving into some wonderful fresh ground dark roast coffee beans. This thing could develop for several days.
It's like this wine was crafted by an angel, who aged it in the finest oaks that once held the tears of that very angel. Grapes used were the 877 clone, 100% Syrah, and it was aged in French oak. Only 250 cases of this bad boy were made. First off, the cork is covered in dark purple sediment due to the wine being unfiltered, and extremely dark and viscous in the decanter. The nose is highly aromatic, filled with notes of smokey vanilla, mulled blackberries, a touch of ethanol, and cloves. Upon entry, the pallet is a plush, mouth filling, velvety liquid. It exhibits notes of luxardo cherries, dark ripe plum, iron minerality, Mediterranean spice ball, and a finish that lingers for at least a minute. This is my first time trying a red wine made by Russell Bevan, and I am astounded. Even after 8 years, it is still singing of its youth, and I can't wait to try another bottle after several more years!
P.S. @Kyle Groombridge ,thank you for informing me where to find this jewel!
Post add in:
The nose developed even more after a few more hours in the decanter, evolving into some wonderful fresh ground dark roast coffee beans. This thing could develop for several days.
100% clone 877 Syrah. 100% New French Oak. Dark and plummy. Still holding up very well.
100% clone 877 Syrah. 100% New French Oak. Dark and plummy. Still holding up very well.
Oct 21st, 2015
I waited too long to open this wine as I’m sure it would have been better if consumed sooner. Big Bevan fan from the beginning.
I waited too long to open this wine as I’m sure it would have been better if consumed sooner. Big Bevan fan from the beginning.
Oct 23rd, 2023This wine is very forgettable. There was some fruit on the nose, but more of a muted presence. Perhaps a little too old? Bottle variation? Whatever it is, this one was in last place in a lineup of 2012 Plumpjack, 2005 Cayuse En Cerise, 2013 Sleight of hand Psychedelic, 2009 Alban Reva, 2001 Dutschke Semmler, and a 2015 Montagu Hyde. Died immediately when paired with braised pork. Did have some velvety black fruit character throughout but it had nothing exciting to contribute. Didn't even wake up with salty kettle chips. I would like to try a newer offering perhaps?
This wine is very forgettable. There was some fruit on the nose, but more of a muted presence. Perhaps a little too old? Bottle variation? Whatever it is, this one was in last place in a lineup of 2012 Plumpjack, 2005 Cayuse En Cerise, 2013 Sleight of hand Psychedelic, 2009 Alban Reva, 2001 Dutschke Semmler, and a 2015 Montagu Hyde. Died immediately when paired with braised pork. Did have some velvety black fruit character throughout but it had nothing exciting to contribute. Didn't even wake up with salty kettle chips. I would like to try a newer offering perhaps?
Jan 26th, 2019
Bobs Cuvee,
250 cases, surprisingly only 13.3 Abv
The 08 Greywacke was a bit more complex & meatier, this is more subdued. But still a nice bottle if you can find one
Bobs Cuvee,
250 cases, surprisingly only 13.3 Abv
The 08 Greywacke was a bit more complex & meatier, this is more subdued. But still a nice bottle if you can find one
Huge nose. Lots of red and purple fruit. Excellent after short decant.
Huge nose. Lots of red and purple fruit. Excellent after short decant.
Feb 11th, 2016