Starter Wine:
- 2018 Wrath Chardonnay Boekenoogen Vineyard – USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands (9/9/2023)
Nice starter wine. Lemon, spice, minerals, mild oak, chalk and pear. Medium plus finish and nice acidity. (91 points)
Sparkling Wine:
- 2016 Ultramarine Blanc de Blancs Heintz Vineyard Sonoma Coast – USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (9/9/2023)
Excellent Sparkling wine with apple, spice, orange peel, minerals and chalk. A rich sparkler that would give many Champagnes a run for the money. 92+ (92 points)
Syrah’s
Reynvaan Trio
- 2017 Reynvaan Family Vineyards Syrah The Contender In the Rocks – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley (9/9/2023)
This was not a good showing especially compared to the 13 Contender. Decanted 4 hours. Bright fruit, mild funk, minerals and red meat. 2nd pour was better but this just needs five plus in the cellar. Drink after 2028. 0 points (90 points) - 2013 Reynvaan Family Vineyards Syrah In the Rocks – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley (9/9/2023)
Black currants, spice, stone rose petals and mild funk. Bigger in style than the Contender from 13. This wine needs some time and showed a bit of heat. 1 point (91 points) - 2013 Reynvaan Family Vineyards Syrah The Contender In the Rocks – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley (9/9/2023)
Syrah Tasting: Earth, red currants, spice, floral, green olives and white pepper. Clearly the winner of the 3 Reynvaan flight. 2nd place wine with 13 points (94 points)
K Foursome
2014 K Vintners Syrah Royal City – USA, Washington (9/9/2023) Cranberry, spice, white pepper, cherry and earth. Very subtle for a Royal City and I am fine with that. Medium plus finish. Drink now or hold for a few. 4 points (93 points)2015 K Vintners Syrah Cattle King Upland Vineyard – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley Snipes Mountain (9/9/2023) Wine of the night for me and the group. Bold and intense but balanced. Black pepper, spice, tar, blueberries, dark berries, earth and stone. 27 points (95 points) 2014 K Vintners Syrah Klein – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley (9/9/2023) This could probably use another few years in the cellar. Pepper, dark chocolate, spice and earth. A little tight and decanted a few hours. 2 points (91 points)2012 K Vintners Syrah The Beautiful – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley (9/9/2023) This is peaking with black pepper, sour cherry, earth, mild spice and dried herbs. Savory wine and decanted 1 hour. Drink now. 4 points (92 points) |
Final 3:
- 2016 Ramey Syrah Rodgers Creek Vineyard – USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (9/9/2023)
Not a fan of this one either. Green pepper, sour cherry, spice and floral notes. Decanted a few hours but just can’t get past the green nature of this wine. 9 points (85 points) - 2012 Sparkman Cellars Syrah Ruckus – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Red Mountain (9/9/2023)
This was a hot wine even though it is over 10 years old. Pepper, clove, cherry and some heat. Not a fan of this style and I am about 50/50 on Sparkman wines. 9 points (84 points) - 2012 Mollydooker Shiraz Carnival of Love – Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale (9/9/2023)
Drinking well. Big wine as you might expect but not over the top. Spice, blackberries, Eucalyptus, black pepper and coffee beans. Medium plus finish. Might actually benefit from a few more years in the cellar. 8 points (92 points)