Baby Tui Syrah

As with all of the top Cuvées of Sami Odi there is a lot going on with the wine as a product of ancient vines going back to 1912. Ripe plums, black olive, earth, some game and meaty notes and prune. Bold flavours delivered with a trademark silky texture with supple fluid tannins. Rich chocolatey notes on the palate mingling with the ripe plum. Followers of Sami Odi will know that Fraser often blends 2 or 3 vintages but with “Baby Tui” the 2012 vintage was so good that it stood alone. The unusual and attractive label is apparently a collection of vintage match box labels belonging to Fraser’s grandmother I believe. Correct me if I’m wrong. I have one of these gems left in the cellar.

Opened and decanted last Wednesday night and it was very clenched and unyielding. Disappointed, I re-corked and then audozed for a couple hours before Thursday night dinner. What a difference a day and some air makes! This is just mind blowing stuff from @Fraser McKinley when it’s given the proper treatment. Impossibly concentrated dark fruits, a creamy textured core, creosote, blood, iodine and mahogany mix and mesh and tantalize the palate. Get some of his stuff. When you do give it ample time and if you can’t do that give it the air it needs. You will reap the benefits.

Sami-Odi, 2012 Tui, rockin the house!!

Sami-Odi "Baby Tui" 2012. It's awesome! On the nose; complexity begins, revealing totally naked fruit, spice and strong Cote Rotie signs of influence. On the full and rich palate, it's all about purity, red and dark berries, tight tannins, complete dryness and a juicy, fresh and naturally "alive" finish. Easy 98 points. Fan for life.

The advanced notice on this was very positive but I wasn't prepared for how absolutely astonishing it was. I opened around 4pm Saturday and I caught a pretty heavy nose of black cherry liqueur, fox fur and game. From the nose I feared heat. I decanted about 4 hours and served with NY Waygu strip steak and twiced baked potatoes. I was immediately jarred by the depth, purity and balance of this Syrah. There was weight but she (this wine is a sexy she) was also so light on her feet. Flavors of dark chocolate, bourbon barrels and peppercorn and a marked silky mouth feel. This is a special, powerful wine with tremendous structure and a rich, long finish. It's a mythical combination of the funk and depth of a Cayuse Bionic Frog or Charles Smith Royal City and the power, texture and smooth finish of the SQN Poker Face. Such an impressive showing by winemaker @Fraser McKinley and a big thank you to the basketball barrister @Roman Sukley for staying on me and making sure I acquired some of this. I trust Roman's palette without reservation. One last note: this wine was substantially more integrated and more plush and round on day 2. I recommend opening and using the Audouze method at cellar temp followed by a lengthy decant. This will sing loud and clear if you let it explore the studio space.

Sami-Odi Baby Tui. My favorite of Fraser's wines, at least among those I've tasted. No detailed reviews today. I'm just going to kick back and enjoy this one. I'll say just one word: "Texture." That super silky mouth feel gets me every time. I've got to stop drinking these because I'm running out, and I bet they'll be killer with little more cellar time. Thanks @Fraser McKinley

Such a magnificant wine to accompany our home-cooked X-mas dinner...
Best bottle so far and bound for a perfect score in the future. Period.
Well done, Fraser.

Violets and lilac on the nose. Blueberries, plums, dried herbs and forest floor on the palate. Rich and savory with a hint of beef blood. Beautiful acidity and silky-soft tannins. So nuanced; so complex. A big wine that's light on its feet. Hate to sound like a broken record, but @Fraser McKinley is an artist, crafting some gorgeous wines. Get you some. You won't be disappointed.

Johan had this 8 years ago

Jeroen had this 9 years ago