Syrah/Shiraz Double Header

sorry for all the reviews on the syrah/shiraz side of things. i have quite a few in my cellar right now from a wine festival purchase. the double header?…four vines 2005 syrah from paso robles, ca and jacob's creek 2005 reserve shiraz from barossa valley australia. these two make for an interesting comparison. the california syrah had a nose of plum and hints of menthol. there was also a heat due to the alcohol content of 15%, which i wasn't to crazy about. on the palate it was very full bodied with blackberry, licorice and spice…and a little too much alcohol burn. this would be a much nicer wine if it weren't for the higher alcohol content. $about 18 for this one. the jacob's creek shiraz had a similar nose of plums and spice without the alcohol heat. on the palate, very intense blackberry and spice notes, followed by a velvet vanilla flavor. also around the $18 price. this wine would easily lay down for the next 5-10 years and have something to show after that time. if you want bold, in your face taste with a big alcohol kick, go for the four vines. i would prefer the alternate and go with a little more subtle complex taste of the shiraz. cheers!

Trapiche 2005 Syrah

into the nice price wine. this syrah goes for around $11. not in the crabby grapes "cheap" territory, but close. nose of spice and red currants. on the palate, red plums and some tobacco, licorice and black pepper notes. very drinkable. not one you would want to lay for a while, it is ready now. well worth the price.

Doña Paula Malbec

this 2005 malbec was not nearly as ready to drink as i had hoped. nose of raspberries and herbs. smelled a bit green. and that was the case on the palate as well. a bit tight but the flavors had promise. smokey and spicy with lots of fruit and medium tannins and a long finish. not bad. this would be worth purchasing again and laying it down for a year to see what developed. and at a price of about $11, a good value.

Houghton Shiraz

this 2004 vintage isn't the typical bold, slap you in the face, shiraz. a bit more elegant that had aromas of warm chocolate and spice/pepper. tastes of red berries and some floral notes and a long, soft finish with very typical shiraz pepper notes. had this with a burger with grilled mushrooms which worked well together. priced in the $15-18 range. a good valued shiraz.

my favorite grape…

pinot noir! subtle, yet bold. very complex. lots of beautiful flavors come through. sexy. earthy nose. this could describe most pinots. this time around i am referring to styring vineyards "wit" 2004 pinot from willamette valley oregon. excellent wine from a small winery, about 300 cases a year, that sells for about 38. a bit pricey for those on a budget but worth the price.
sorry if this post seemed a bit short, but i had to abandon the typing part way through the posting. here is what else i have to say about this really nice wine. it has bold blackberry and black cherry flavors and a nice spicey note. time in the bottle will only make this wine even better. i also have a few bottles of the 03 and plan on doing a side by side comparison later in the year.

opened a bottle of fess parker 2003 santa barbara county syrah. a wine festival acquisition. full bodied. spicey with undertones of vanilla and cocoa. beautiful finish. drank this with out any food, but this would work really well with a nice steak and some garlic mashed potatoes. an excellent wine. rated 93 points by wine enthusiast, this wine is typical of a really good california syrah. well worth the the $$ that you lay down for it.

the quest for the penfolds port will continue. my favorite wine source didn't and couldn't get it, so i will search elsewhere.