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More QRW Summer 2008 feature articles:
All Things Grape and Small / Randy Sheahan
California Winery of The Year: Kendall-Jackson / QRW Staff
A New Chapter for Allegrini / QRW Staff
The Skinny on 2003 Brunello / Tom Maresca
Rodney Strong: A Model of Consistency / Richard L. Elia
King Estate’s Crowning Achievement / QRW Staff
QRW’s 24th Annual California Best of The Best / QRW Staff
Best $12 and Under California Wines / QRW Staff
Jordan Winery’s Balancing Act / Larry Walker
Wining and Dining: Manhattan / Edward and Mireille Guiliano
Gnarly Head: Eminently Quaffable / QRW Staff
Best of The Best:
California Syrahs
This baker’s dozen will surely put a smile on your face.
QRW Tasting Team
Syrah is on the rise in California, where it’s shown an ability to produce wines of considerable richness and depth. Moreover, like Cabernet Sauvignon, it performs well in a wide range of soils and climates. Indeed, the 13 Syrahs cited below encompass ten different California AVAs. How’s that for vinous assimilation?
5-Star California Syrahs
Wines of extraordinary character and quality — in a class by themselves
BEST OF SHOW2005 Dutton-Goldfield Syrah “Dutton Ranch/Cherry Ridge Vineyard” |
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2004 Michael-David Sixth Sense 2004 Rubicon Estate RC Reserve 2004 St. Francis Sonoma County 2004 Shadow Canyon Cellars |
2004 Shafer Relentless 2004 Truchard 2005 Valley of the Moon 2003 Zaca Mesa |
2004 Michael-David Sixth Sense Syrah (Lodi), $17. Mainly Syrah blended with small amounts of Petite Sirah and Cabernet Sauvignon. Rich, ripe, pure, bold, well-concentrated, blackberry, coffee and vanillin flavors.
Co-BEST VALUE
Owner/Winemaker Dan Goldfield, and Owner Steve Dutton |
2005 Dutton-Goldfield Syrah “Dutton Ranch/Cherry Ridge Vineyard” (Russian River Valley/Green Valley), $35. Big, rich, plush, pure, elegant, well-concentrated, blackberry, white pepper and vanillin flavors. |
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Winemaker Elias Fernandez, Shafer Vineyards |
2004 Shafer Relentless (Napa Valley), $65. 80% Syrah, 20% Petite Sirah. Soft, lush, round, silky, pure, well-knit, black fruit and French roast flavors. |
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Winemaker Greg Winter, Valley of the Moon |
2005 Valley of the Moon Syrah (Sonoma County), $16. 97% Syrah, 3% Cabernet Sauvignon. Big, rich, ripe, juicy, black fruit and nutty oak flavors. |
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2004 Rubicon Estate RC Reserve Syrah (Rutherford/Napa Valley), $62. 90% Syrah, 6% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petite Sirah from organically certified vineyards. Deep, plush, ripe, well-knit, black fruit, coffee and roasted nut flavors.
2004 St. Francis Syrah (Sonoma County), $20. Big, rich, ripe, juicy, black fruit and sweet oak vanillin flavors.
2004 Shadow Canyon Cellars Syrah “Shadow Canyon Vineyard” (York Mountain/Central Coast), $40. Rich, lush, nutty, well-concentrated, black fruit and nutty oak flavors.
2004 Truchard Syrah (Carneros/Napa Valley), $28. Rich, ripe, pure, lush, blackberry, cocoa and toasty oak vanillin flavors.
2003 Zaca Mesa Syrah (Santa Ynez Valley), $22. 98% Syrah, 2% Viognier. Rich, silky, well-concentrated, black plum, spice and sweet oak vanillin flavors.
4-Star California Syrahs
Wines of outstanding character and quality — benchmarks of their type
2004 Austin Hope Syrah “Hope Family Vineyards” (Paso Robles), $40. Ripe, firm, fleshy, well-knit, black fruit and French roast flavors.
2005 Consilience Syrah “Rodney Shull Vineyard” (Santa Barbara County), $26. Big, rich, bold, earthy, well-concentrated, black fruit and roast nut flavors.
2005 Curtis Syrah “Vogelzang Vineyard” (Santa Barbara County), $24. Soft, plump, ripe, juicy, black fruit, cocoa and vanillin flavors.
2005 Frei Brothers Syrah Reserve (Russian River Valley), $24. 97% Syrah, 3% Petite Sirah. Big, rich, firm, black fruit, French roast and earth flavors.
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Phone: 781-729-7132 Fax: 781-721-0572
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