Lillian Winery
California Syrah
California, USA
Forgot I opened one of these earlier in the year. Whoops. Wish I had more.
Hour decant, then consumed from decanter over the next 3hrs.
My note here is fairly similar to the 2014 note, but there is more concentration and power going on. Dark purple in the glass, with aromatics of both sweet oak as well as a kiss of whole cluster stem inclusion. Loads of dark floral notes, ripe blackberries, and smoked jerky. Large-scaled mid palate depth and richness of blue and black fruits with plenty of herbal flair and spice but it’s more iron fist in a velvet glove style. There’s black peppercorn and iron, as well as big central coast Rhône style with its rich and textural palate.
I love Syrah in all expressions. It’s natural to compare these wines to SQN (and Andremily), and rightly so. These are dialed up to 9, but pull back, whereas the others aren’t afraid of going to 11. No right/wrong answer, just style preference. I happen to love both.
Forgot I opened one of these earlier in the year. Whoops. Wish I had more.
Hour decant, then consumed from decanter over the next 3hrs.
My note here is fairly similar to the 2014 note, but there is more concentration and power going on. Dark purple in the glass, with aromatics of both sweet oak as well as a kiss of whole cluster stem inclusion. Loads of dark floral notes, ripe blackberries, and smoked jerky. Large-scaled mid palate depth and richness of blue and black fruits with plenty of herbal flair and spice but it’s more iron fist in a velvet glove style. There’s black peppercorn and iron, as well as big central coast Rhône style with its rich and textural palate.
I love Syrah in all expressions. It’s natural to compare these wines to SQN (and Andremily), and rightly so. These are dialed up to 9, but pull back, whereas the others aren’t afraid of going to 11. No right/wrong answer, just style preference. I happen to love both.
For planning purposes of something in the future, I tasted 2014 central coast Syrahs from high end producers blind. Along with the Lillian (my bottle), there was SQN, Andremily, Torrin Akasha, Booker Fracture, Alban Reva and Alban Lorraine.
First off, I love these wines. The price in comparison to the others is impressive, and it always delivers. I double decanted this about two hours prior to the blind tasting. Dark purple in the glass, with aromatics of both sweet oak as well as whole cluster stem inclusion. Loads of dark floral notes, ripe blackberries, cherry jerky and that kiss of sweet oak. The palate remained the same from opening through the end of the blind tasting…a distinctly fuzzy profile on the palate with gorgeous mid palate depth and richness of blue and black fruits with plenty of herbal flair and spice. It toes the line between cool climate Syrah with their signature black peppercorn and iron, as well as big central coast Rhône style with its rich and textural palate. No rush on opening, but it sure is great now.
Out of the 7 in the lineup, this was the “cheapest”, and tied for 3rd place (with the Andremily being the runaway favorite, Alban Lorraine taking second, and this tying the SQN).
For planning purposes of something in the future, I tasted 2014 central coast Syrahs from high end producers blind. Along with the Lillian (my bottle), there was SQN, Andremily, Torrin Akasha, Booker Fracture, Alban Reva and Alban Lorraine.
First off, I love these wines. The price in comparison to the others is impressive, and it always delivers. I double decanted this about two hours prior to the blind tasting. Dark purple in the glass, with aromatics of both sweet oak as well as whole cluster stem inclusion. Loads of dark floral notes, ripe blackberries, cherry jerky and that kiss of sweet oak. The palate remained the same from opening through the end of the blind tasting…a distinctly fuzzy profile on the palate with gorgeous mid palate depth and richness of blue and black fruits with plenty of herbal flair and spice. It toes the line between cool climate Syrah with their signature black peppercorn and iron, as well as big central coast Rhône style with its rich and textural palate. No rush on opening, but it sure is great now.
Out of the 7 in the lineup, this was the “cheapest”, and tied for 3rd place (with the Andremily being the runaway favorite, Alban Lorraine taking second, and this tying the SQN).
Have not had this producer since the 2005 vintage so I was happy to see it on the list . TBH one of the reasons I selected this was I knew the other diners at my table would likely enjoy it more than I would , once again I assumed and you know the rest. Right from the first sniff I was very happy. A nose of violets, mushrooms and earth. In the mouth a word I do not often use , savory. What pleased me the most was the lack of “heat” and the wonderful balance of fruit and acid. Tannins were close to resolved. The greatest feature of the wine was the complexity that developed on the nose and palate. . A characteristic I find lacking in many wines.
Have not had this producer since the 2005 vintage so I was happy to see it on the list . TBH one of the reasons I selected this was I knew the other diners at my table would likely enjoy it more than I would , once again I assumed and you know the rest. Right from the first sniff I was very happy. A nose of violets, mushrooms and earth. In the mouth a word I do not often use , savory. What pleased me the most was the lack of “heat” and the wonderful balance of fruit and acid. Tannins were close to resolved. The greatest feature of the wine was the complexity that developed on the nose and palate. . A characteristic I find lacking in many wines.
Aug 1st, 2021
White pepper, blue fruits, medium plus tannins, medium acidity, cola, bramble and under brush.
White pepper, blue fruits, medium plus tannins, medium acidity, cola, bramble and under brush.
Jan 7th, 2020
Ripe, plush, rounded and delicious. Very good of its type.
Ripe, plush, rounded and delicious. Very good of its type.
Nov 17th, 2019
A great Syrah from an Oregon Winery, but the grapes come from California. Made by the previous assistant wine maker of Sine Qua Non.
Dry and fruity on the palate with blackberries, black currants, plums, vanilla, licorice, wood, chocolates, coffee and peppercorn.
Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.
Needs an hour to open up properly and show some tannins.
Well balanced and complex with a great mouthfeel. Delicious and yummy.
14.7% alcohol by volume.
92 points.
$80.
A great Syrah from an Oregon Winery, but the grapes come from California. Made by the previous assistant wine maker of Sine Qua Non.
Dry and fruity on the palate with blackberries, black currants, plums, vanilla, licorice, wood, chocolates, coffee and peppercorn.
Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.
Needs an hour to open up properly and show some tannins.
Well balanced and complex with a great mouthfeel. Delicious and yummy.
14.7% alcohol by volume.
92 points.
$80.
Sunday decanted. Maggie Harrison’s 2013 Lillian Syrah. Maggie was assistant winemaker to Manfred Krankl of Sine Qua Non for eight years before moving to Oregon to take over at Antica Terra. Lillian represents Maggie’s personal project and reflects everything that she learned during her time at Sine Qua Non. Fascinated by the “cannot unsee” factor of this wine... like those pictures that show two different things in one image... this is a Syrah that if given the right perspective will morph into a Cabernet.
Sunday decanted. Maggie Harrison’s 2013 Lillian Syrah. Maggie was assistant winemaker to Manfred Krankl of Sine Qua Non for eight years before moving to Oregon to take over at Antica Terra. Lillian represents Maggie’s personal project and reflects everything that she learned during her time at Sine Qua Non. Fascinated by the “cannot unsee” factor of this wine... like those pictures that show two different things in one image... this is a Syrah that if given the right perspective will morph into a Cabernet.
Nov 6th, 2017
Maggie was once a student under Manfred Krankl, this bottle was her second vintage. Shows a restrained nose even after 3 hours after the decant. Hints of wild game and blackberry compote on the nose. Sweet tannins that integrate well and provide backbone. Layers of cassis, plum and wild flowers set up a stellar finish that sails for over a minute.
Maggie was once a student under Manfred Krankl, this bottle was her second vintage. Shows a restrained nose even after 3 hours after the decant. Hints of wild game and blackberry compote on the nose. Sweet tannins that integrate well and provide backbone. Layers of cassis, plum and wild flowers set up a stellar finish that sails for over a minute.
Aug 12th, 2017