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+--- Thread: Experiment: Does $10 make a difference in low-end California Shiraz? (/thread-11208.html)
- wondersofwine - 11-14-2006
I selected two grocery store syrahs (labeled shiraz) to compare at different price points--a $3.99 (marked down from $5.99) Delicato California Shiraz and a $13.99 Geyser Peak Shiraz, Sonoma County.
Both listed at 13.5% alcohol
2004 DELICATO CALIFORNIA SHIRAZ
Opaque dark purple juice. Fragrance of dark berries foretells the dark berry flavors. Drying finish. Suggesion of herbs--maybe tarragon or rosemary. Not complex but tastes better than a $3.99 wine should be expected to taste (especially for a domestic wine).
Back label says the Delicato Shiraz was awarded "Best Shiraz of California at the California State Fair three consecutive years." (It wasn't THAT good!) Is it an appellation thing (not in competition with Napa or Sonoma Syrah, only statewide California designation?)
2002 GEYSER PEAK WINERY SHIRAZ, SONOMA COUNTY
Dark purple color. More fragrant than the Delicato. Ripe black fruit nose suggesting sweet jam or pie. Less sweet on the palate than the nose seems to indicate. More depth than the Delicato giving a rounded impression with soft tannins. Presents more as Australian style than Rhone--perhaps thanks to Australian winemakers at the winery. Still, it is more obvious in a blind tasting that this is syrah/shiraz, while the Delicato might be mistaken for some other varietal.
The Delicato was good QPR and rose above its price level. The Geyser Peak is an impressive wine in its niche or style and also rises above its price level for those who favor the ripe, jammy wines. Think of the Delicato as a possible barbeque or picnic wine and the Geyser Peak as a crowd pleaser or party wine. And yes, a $10 difference in price did make a difference in quality (but I might be tempted to spend even more for a Red Mountain Syrah from Washington State if the grocery store carried them).
- VouvrayHead - 11-14-2006
I'd be interested to put Delicato up against a less good $14 California Syrah.
Geyser Peak always makes wine that is better than the average at its price point.