Lillian Winery
California Syrah
California, USA
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).
Syrah isn’t my favorite varietal but this is pretty good. Sweet oak and jammy fruit on the nose. Dark purple. Big and juicy blackberries and cherries. Oak and spicy.
Syrah isn’t my favorite varietal but this is pretty good. Sweet oak and jammy fruit on the nose. Dark purple. Big and juicy blackberries and cherries. Oak and spicy.
May 1st, 2023
Cali wines turned to 11 aren’t my bag, but I’m just an unabashed fan of Maggie Harrison. There’s so much happening from nose to mouthful to length.
Cali wines turned to 11 aren’t my bag, but I’m just an unabashed fan of Maggie Harrison. There’s so much happening from nose to mouthful to length.
Oct 22nd, 2018
Tasted with Maggie Harrison. Lovely. Really a reflection of Maggie.
Tasted with Maggie Harrison. Lovely. Really a reflection of Maggie.
Apr 18th, 2017
