Syrahs for Steve

Some of my recent favorites in ascending order of price.

Cline Syrah
Napa Valley, California - $9
THE epitome of Syrah. Need to decant! A great, cheap selection with some oak. Wonderful go-to party wine; buy again.


Earthworks Syrah 2006
Barossa Valley, Australia - $10
Lighter style with initial black pepper flavor. Aromas of cherry and a grapefruity tang/sharpness. Flavor resembles a spicy pinot noir with supple tannins. Stewed fruit, fatty pork (sausage/bacon), blueberry. General red fruits lead to blueberry then to smoke/tar, then peppery finish. Great mouthfeel, smooth. 4/5

Paringa Shiraz
South Australia, Australia - $10
Pleasing, smooth like a Merlot but with nice spice. Buy again, good for parties.

The Winner's Tank Eskadale Shiraz 2006
Langhorne Creek, Australia - $13
Spicy! Held up to burgers and chocolate cake. Side of tongue pepper, chocolate, burnt toast flavors. Tannic with leather aromas on finish. Buy again.

Montes Alpha Syrah
Colchagua Valley, Chile - $19
Lots of jammy reds, lingering smoke on the palate. Smokey, pleasing tannins. Flavors of chocolate with black and blueberry as it opens up. An interesting wine to drink again.


Jim Barry The Lodge Hill Shiraz 2006
Clare Valley, Australia - $20
Aromas of cinnamon, clove, sweet hay on a red berry backbone. Cut grass freshness with light barnyard earthiness. Stewed red fruit. Medium body, supple tannins. Spicy flavor opens up to vanilla red fruit (sweet red fruits). Needs more power at the end. Wine Spectator 91 points. 4/5



Cakebread Napa Valley Syrah 2005
Napa Valley, California - $50
Loved syrupy, very ripe fruit flavor. My style of syrah. From the winemaker: "Seductive, varietally expressive aroma of ripe black fruit, violets, white pepper, roasted coffee & sweet vanilla. Full body; lush blackberry, plum, & fig, savory spice. Supple tannins & long toasty finish. Best flavor 2011-2013."

While the $50 Cakebread was marvelous and very much what I prefer, I could not justify the price... especially when I considered this winery was the first of a dozen more still to visit on week-long Napa/Sonoma trip. The Earthworks was a great value, complex and definitely interesting. For a little more money, we really enjoyed the Jim Barry Lodge Hill.