Here are the notes from the Syrah/Shiraz Tasting last night. Many of the wines got some love so it goes to show the styles around the world are unique and will be enjoyed by a variety of consumers. My personal favorite style was the Washington State Syrahs especially the K Rock Block.
Here are some excellent videos to learn about the great regions and wines devoted to the Syrah/Shiraz grape.
Intro to Syrah/Shiraz.
Wine Folly Map & Info on the sub appellations.
Northern Rhone
2015 Emmanuel Darnaud Crozes-Hermitage Les Trois Chênes (France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Crozes-Hermitage)
This is a big style wine for Northern Rhone standards. Perfume wine with Garrique, stone, mint and roasted meat. Great flavor profile. This is a winner for the price point.
Recommendation: Buy more! Decanted 1 hour. (91 points)
https://www.domainedarnaud.com/langue-english-1.html
2003 E. Guigal Hermitage (France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage)
Excellent place right now with roasted meat, tar, white pepper, burnt toast and raspberries. Concentrated wine and balanced. Medium to long finish. Drink now to 2022. (93 points)
Great introduction video to the region along with Jancis Robinson’s take. Also this podcast has some nice information on the region.
Learn about the appellations of Cote Rotie, Condrieu, St. Joseph, Hermitage, Crozes Hermitage and Cornas. The main grape is Syrah and whites such as Viognier, Marsanne and Roussanne grapes. A bulk of the wine produced in the Northern Rhone are produced in St. Joseph & Crozes Hermitage. The gravel soils give the wines their distinct character and many of the best wines come from extremely steep slopes.
Videos from the best producers Guigal (part 1, part 2, part 3, Chapoutier, and Jean Louis Chave.
Australia
Wine Folly map and info.
2012 Shirvington Shiraz (Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale)
Day 1: Rich wine with floral, chocolate, mint, black fruits and pepper. Very concentrated wine and tasty. Not an over the top fruit bomb with big alcohol. Should develop over time. 91 points
Day 2: Muted fruit. More earth elements and pepper. Medium finish. Not as good as day 1. 87 points
Day 3: Soy, charcoal, floral and white pepper. You really need to taste this to get the flavors out of it. It is balanced and nice. I like the flavor profile and the lack of alcohol and over ripe fruit some Aussie wines are known for. 91 points
Recommendation: I would sit on these a few more years and sample in 2020. I think these have a long window ahead of them. (91 points)
2005 Glaetzer Godolphin (Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley)
Not what I was hoping for. Extracted fruit which was not the case the last time I drank this. A little heat and floral notes. Medium plus finish but lacks consistency. Would pass on buying this but if you own it wait til 2020 and beyond. Decanted 2 hours. (87 points)
https://glaetzer.com/the-glaetzer-family/
Australia made its mark with cheap reds but also with World Class Shiraz offerings. Learn about the regions, great wines and producers from Down Under. The Barossa Valley and McClaren Vale are the top two areas for producing Shiraz in Australia.
Washington State
2008 Grand Rêve Vintners Collaboration Series III Ciel du Cheval Vineyard (USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Red Mountain)
High octane stuff with black fruits, gravel, violets, roasted meat and tar. This was decanted one hour and maybe needed more time. This should drink well for another 5 plus years. (91 points)
https://forcemajeurevineyards.com/wp/
2014 K Vintners Syrah Rock Garden (USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley)
Outstanding wine with black olives, stones, subtle floral notes, red currants and white pepper. Really balanced wine and Rhone like. This would be an interesting 3 day wine review wine to see where this goes but this 3 ounce pour tells me this will be a winner for years to come! Decanted 3 hours. (93 points)
California
2009 Paul Hobbs Syrah Kick Ranch (USA, California, Sonoma County)
This is high octane Syrah and in a good way. Blackberries, tar, blueberries, violets and crushed rock. Medium to long finish and flavors are amazing. This vineyard is one of my favorites in California. Should drink well for the next 5 years. Decanted 1.5 hours. (92 points)
https://www.paulhobbswinery.com/
2011 Booker Vineyard Syrah Fracture (USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles)
My wine of the night! Outstanding wine and really drinking well. Decanted one hour. Smooth and polished with violets, raspberries, spice, pepper and dust. Balanced and good acidity. This wine should drink well for another five plus years. Outstanding Paso Robles Syrah. (94 points)
Complete wines review on Cellar Tracker.