Inky purple. Utterly classic syrah aromas evoke blackcurrant, olive tapenade, candied licorice, spice cake, violet and minerals, with an emphatic undertone of cracked pepper. Fine-grained tannins add frame to sweet red and dark berry flavors, which are in turn complicated by Asian spices and black olive. Finishes with excellent mineral lift and great sweet persistence. Lovely stuff. 93 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, May/Jun 08
In contrast, the 2006 Syrah Las Colinas is a fuller-bodied, denser Syrah with more roasted meat, bouquet garni, charcoal, and blackberry fruit, a superb texture, and a long, heady, rich mouthfeel with stunning length. It is close to being a blockbuster Syrah to drink in its first 7-8 years of life.
Radio-Coteau is another great success story, with proprietor Eric Sussman producing small-lot, handcrafted wines. Everything is fermented naturally, there are no enzymes, acidulations, very low SO2 is utilized, and the wines are bottled in-house, with neither fining nor filtration. This is always an exciting line-up of wines that remain fairly priced. While I always think of Sussman as a master with his red wine varietals, such as Pinot Noir, Syrah, and Zinfandel, he certainly impressed me with his two vintages of Chardonnay from the very cool-climate Savoy Vineyard of Anderson Valley. 92 points Wine Advocate # 180 Dec 2008
Big and intense, yet also elegant and stylish, with peppery wild berry, sage, mineral, light sage and dusty berry flavors. Has great balance and length without heavy tannins. Drink now through 2013. 635 cases made. 92 points Wine Spectator Issue: Jul 31, 2008
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