S Y R A H . / . P E T I T E . S I R A H
98 ESMERALDA (CHATOM VINEYARDS)
2009 Syrah
Calaveras County $34
98 POMAR JUNCTION VINEYARD
2007 Syrah
Monterey $42
98 VIE
2007 Syrah
Las Madres Vineyard; Carneros - Sonoma County $42
Doesn’t get much better than this. Wonderful black & blue fruit, spice, with whiffs of smoke and cola. The palate is smooth and sexy, well-balanced and mouth filling, with an explosion of fruit and spice in the never ending finish.
97 CASS
2006 Syrah
Paso Robles $36
Wonderful, rich layers of black and red fruit, hints of blueberry and floral undertones in a spicy, sexy body. One of the best syrahs we’ve tasted.
97 OLSON OGDEN
2007 Syrah
Stagecoach Vineyard - Napa Valley $52
Dark, rich and complex, this wine offers deep blue, black and red fruit flavors layered in a smooth, velvety, spicy body, with a finish that is to die for.
97 SOL ROUGE
2009 Petite Sirah
Lake County $32
Interesting floral elements envelope blackberry, blueberry, cranberry, licorice and some red fruit aromas, with light spice lingering. There aren’t many good petite sirahs on the market. Most are very tight/tannic. But not this one. This is a well-balanced, tasty wine that should be an example of how this varietal should be made.
97 VIE
2009 Syrah
Las Madres Vineyard - Carneros - Sonoma County $39
Wonderful black, blue and red fruit aromas, with spice and whiffs of smoke and cola. This is a smooth, sexy wine, well-balanced and mouth filling, with an explosion of fruit and smoky-spice in the long, long lingering finish.
97 VIE
2009 Syrah
White Hawk Vineyard - Santa Barbara County $45
Complex black, red and blue fruit aromas, with complements of earth, cigar, pepper spice and oak. This is a pretty intense wine, displaying rich fruit and secondary elements in a firm but rounding finish. Decant before enjoying!
96 BOGLE
2009 Petite Sirah
California $11
96 CHATOM VINEYARDS
2009 Syrah
Calaveras County $23
96 SOBON ESTATE
2008 Syrah
Amador County $14
Wonderful black, red and blue fruit, pepper spice, with whiffs of smoke and cola. The palate is smooth and sexy, well-balanced and mouth filling, with an explosion of blue fruit and spice in the long lingering finish.
96 SOL ROUGE
2008 Syrah
Lake County $32
Rich aromas of black, blue and red fruit, with spice, chocolate and smoky bacon notes following. On the palate, this is a rich, tightly-packed wine with spice and dark fruit flavors battling for attention with oak and chocolate. Although there’s a lot of winemaking influence, it’s done in a very sexy way.
95 VIE
2009 Syrah
Les Amours - Santa Barbara County $42
Rich blue, black and red fruit aromas, with spice and hints of cigar/tobacco smoke and cola. Tightly-packed on the palate, this wine offers compact fruit and spices leading to a long finish. This wine needs a little time to age/breathe.
96 VIE
2008 Syrah
Las Madres Vineyard - Carneros - Sonoma County $39
Deep blue, black and red fruit aromas, with spice and whiffs of smoke and cola. The palate is smooth and sexy, well-balanced and mouth filling, with an explosion of fruit and smoky-spice in the long lingering finish.
95 IRONSTONE
2010 Petite Sirah
Lodi $10
95 OLSON OGDEN
2007 Syrah
Unti Vineyard - Dry Creek Valley $38
Classic syrah flavors of blue, red and black fruit, spice, and hints of leather and smoke. Packed tight, with firm tannins, this wine needs a few years to open and show its true colors.
95 SOL ROUGE
2009 Syrah
Lake County $32
Rich aromas of black, blue and red fruit, with spice, chocolate, light hearbs and cigar/tobacco notes following. On the palate, this is a rich, tightly-packed wine with spice and dark fruit flavors battling for attention. This wine will open well if decanted before drinking.
95 SOL ROUGE
2007 Syrah
Lake County $32
Deep aromas of black, blue and red fruit, with spice, chocolate and earth notes following. On the palate, this is a rich, tightly-packed wine with spice and dark fruit flavors battling for attention in the firm finish. This wine can use a bit of aging to bloom.
95 STEVENOT
2010 Syrah
Gran Reserva - Sierra Foothills $24
95 VENGE
2008 Syrah
Muhlner Steps Vineyard - Napa Valley $45
Dynamic blackberry, blueberry, black cherry and cola aromas enveloped in light earthy/meaty notes, with chocolate and nutty oak following. Big, slightly hard-edged on the palate, this wine exemplifies what you’d find in the Cote Rotie (France). Give this wine a few years to soften its edges a bit and it’ll turn into a rich, smooth powerhouse.
95 VIE
2008 Syrah
White Hawk Vineyard - Santa Barbara County $45
Tight black, red and blue fruit aromas, with complements of earth, pepper spice and oak. If allowed to breathe this wine opens-up well, displaying rich fruit and secondary elements in a firm but rounding finish.
95 VIE
2008 Syrah
Les Amours - Santa Barbara County $42
Rich blue, black and red fruit aromas, with spice and hints of smoke and cola. Tightly-packed on the palate, with compact fruit and spices leading to a long finish. Like the White Hawk Vineyard Syrah, this will open well if you let it breathe.
94 OLSON OGDEN
2007 Syrah
Napa/Sonoma Counties $28
Nice red, black and blue fruit flavors, with some spice and hints of plum and earth. A bit hard edged now, but will be terrific with some age.
93 BOGLE
2010 Petite Sirah
California $11
93 VIE
2009 Syrah
Thompson Vineyard - Santa Barbara County $45
91 VIE
2008 Syrah
Alder Springs Vineyard - Mendocino County $48
90 SOL ROUGE
2008 Petite Sirah
Lake County $32
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