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+--- Thread: A host of Syrahs (/thread-11699.html)
- Bucko - 04-15-2001
1999 Buffalo Ridge, Syrah, French Camp Vineyard, Central Coast, California, $12, 2,000 cases. Blackberry, raspberry, and vanilla spice entice the nose. Well-balanced and very approachable now. Lush raspberries define this wine, with added nuances of nutmeg, spice, and black tea. Silky tannins persist on the long, fruity finish. 86/90.
1998 Duckpond, Syrah, Fries’ Desert Wind Vineyard, Columbia Valley, Washington, $30, 500 cases. Deep ruby, with black fruit, dark tea and smoky aromas. This offering is full-bodied, with lush blackberry fruit, spice, smoky oak vanillin, and very chewy tannins that need several years of aging. 85/84.
1999 McCrea, Syrah, Amerique, Yakima Valley, Washington, $40, 115 cases. Doug McCrea uses 100% American oak in this special cuvee. Intensely colored, this wine yields dark fruit, smoke and dill aromas. Rich plum jam, moderate caramel and vanilla notes, a touch of pickle barrel, and smooth tannins round out the wine. 90/86.
1999 McCrea, Syrah, Boushey Grande Cote Vineyard, Yakima Valley, Washington, $38, 173 cases. Sweet black fruit and chocolate aromas highlight this deep purple offering. Soft on the palate, rich blackberry jam and wild blackberry flavors seamlessly meld with silky tannins. June 2001 release. 91/88.
1999 McCrea, Syrah, Ciel du Cheval Vineyard, Yakima Valley, Washington, $38, 172 cases. Inky colored, with aromas of blackberry and asian spices. The tannins are more substantial in this wine, yet very forgiving. Blackberry, plum and mocha flavors are up-front, with raspberry nuances on the racy, lengthy aftertaste. June 2001 release. 90/87.
1998 McCrea, Syrah, Cuvee Orleans, Yakima Valley, Washington, $45, 98 cases. Very dark in the glass, with aromas of blackberry jam, light smoke and meaty notes. Very elegant and polished on the entry, the silky tannins make a statement in their finely tuned integration with the wine. Sweet blackberry fruit predominates, with a touch of spicy flavors and brown sugar intermingling throughout. 93/88.
1999 McCrea, Syrah, Yakima Valley, Washington, $33, 466 cases. Dark ruby, with black fruit, roasted coffee beans and a hint of smoke on the nose. Lush and fairly complex, you’ll find black cherry, mulberry, coffee, and cedar flavors, with a touch of plum on the long, smooth, crisp finish. 89/87.
1998 Rosemount, Shiraz, Show Reserve, McLaren Vale, Australia, $24. The nose can best be described as wild berries and spice. Full-bodied and rich, the wine is very fruity, with a touch of mint. The finish is quite long, with mixed berry flavors and firm, but supple tannins. 88/89.
1998 Rosemount, Shiraz Cabernet, Mountain Blue, Mudgee, Australia, $50. A big nose of plum, mocha and mint greets you. Very rich and elegant on the palate, you’ll find complex blackberry, plum and spice flavors. Moderate but supple tannins endure on the very long, fruity finish. 91/85.
1999 White Heron, Syrah, Mariposa Vineyard, Washington, $13. Black fruit, a touch of smoke and cedar greet the nose. Very fruity, elegant, with a touch of black pepper and food-friendly acidity, the wine paired beautifully with beef tenderloin and green peppercorn sauce. 86/90.
- winoweenie - 04-15-2001
Tanks fer the TN's on the McCreas'. I'll hold you personally responsible for any deficiencies in my palate whince I taste them suckers. WW
- Bucko - 04-15-2001
Disclaimer: I, Baron von Bucksnort, am not responsible for ANYTHING that one Mr. Weenie may foist upon the unexpecting public at large......
BVB
- Drew - 04-15-2001
First WW claims to indulge occasionally in Gewurtz.....now Bucko adds ratings to wine. Please help, I'm feeling a little dizzy! [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/confused.gif[/img]
Drew
- RAD - 04-18-2001
Hey Buckster--
Could you clarify the dual ratings? Or had you simply imbibed a bit too much, and couldn't make up your mind? [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/biggrin.gif[/img]
RAD
- Bucko - 04-18-2001
As you all probably know, I do not like to rate wines, rather just make a feeble attempt to describe them.
The wine biz folks have been after me to rate wines. I receive a LOT of samples from the trade (80-100 bottles a month), and publish the new releases as I get 100 notes on Robin Garr's Wine Lovers' Page, and in my newspaper column for the Olympian, Olympia, WA.
The trade folks want ratings. They say ratings sell. They are in business. I can see their point, but I also have an aversion to simple ratings. Thus, God rest his soul, I have resurrected my dear old friend Jerry Mead's dual scoring system. The first rating is for wine quality, the second is for wine value -- an 85 point Cab that only sells for $8 might earn 90 points for value. This seems more fair to the wine. Maybe I'm way off base, but that is how I have to do it if I am going to rate wines.
Bucko
- barnesy - 04-18-2001
I was wondering what you're dual number system meant. I have not interacted with Mr. Meads stuff at all to know what it meant. If you're going to rate it, that seems like a logical way to do it.
And you may want to tell those industry people your new address...I'll email it you
[img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/wink.gif[/img]
Barnesy