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February 07, 2007
Avenue Vine’s WBW #30 Assignment New World Syrah/Shiraz Views
A Rhone romp heads this WBW–Syrah, a varietal close to my heart for sure! Or should I say I’m highly partial to the Northern Rhone? Cote-Rotie for sure, Hermatage, but not this trip...
Oh, hey: I just got this message from the guys at ‘Grape Radio: "2006 Hospice du Rhone - Part 6!”
“Prior to the main events on Friday and Saturday, the winemakers conduct a Syrah Shootout. This is a head-to-head competition between winemakers, with winemakers/producers participating in a blind tasting to select the best three Syrahs in the lineup. The prize - bragging rights until next year’s even…oh, and a plaid (some might say gauche) sportcoat called the Coat du Rhône, as well as a pseudo-trophy of a small wooden barrel with a plaque.’
“The tasting included 50 bottles of various Syrahs, all bagged and numbered. Winemakers and producers were asked to taste through the wines, pick their top three and turn in their scoring to HdR personnel. This year’s winner was McCrea Cellars of Washington State, unseating two-time winner Jeff Cohen.”
Give it ah’ listed if yer' interested in hearin’ a little more about this month’s subject verital–(left click here)–fer’ "2006 Hospice du Rhone - Part 6,” with:
Chris Cherry, Villa Creek: www.villacreek.com
Susan Neel, McCrea Cellars: www.mccreacellars.com
Jeff Cohen, JC Cellars: www.jccellars.com
Jeff is also at Rosenblum Cellars: www.rosenblumcellars.com
--and Dah’ Boyzz from Grape radio talikin’ Syrah/Shiraz...
New world? I better Hit the Cellar inventory for something to fulfil the required:
2004 Rosenblum Cellars, California, Vintners Cuvee, DONE!
2003 Hess Collection Winery, California, Select, DONE.
2003 R.H. Phillips Vineyard, California, DONE...
Dang I really wanted to get to a few, if not a couple, more of these, too! I neglected to stand the 90's Westwoods, and well I just plain ran out of time fer any more...
2003 Rosenblum Cellars, Hillside Vineyard Syrah?
2003 Frei Brothers Reserve?
2003 Chalone Vineyard Estate?
2003 Leal Estate Vineyards Estate Grown?
2002 R.H. Phillips Vineyard EXP, for a local look?
2001 Silkwood Wines LLC, Stanislaus–not so near local?
2001 Silkwood Wines LLC, Reserve, Stanislaus–not so near local?
2001 Columbia Crest Winery, Reserve?
1997 Westwood Winery, El Dorado Foot Hills–near local?
1993 Westwood Winery, El Dorado Foot Hills–near local?
REVIEWED FOR THIS WBW–short narratives & links to Complete Articles:
2/3/07--And from the collection, first one done: 2004 Rosenblum Cellars, California, Vintners Cuvee–100% Syrah. Now this wine was an easy sell, all I had to do was suggest paring it with an afternoon hamburger–NOT the Mac or Carl’s type either–layered with tomato and onion slices and a little mayonnaise. I then suggested they imagine eating the burger and then sip this wine... The connection was instant, fruit explosion on entry, easy tannins, great balance--most all walked out with two bottles–now that’s “wine sales success!”
2/4/07--Next one up: 2003 Hess Collection Winery, Select–90% Syrah, 10% Petite Syrah. Super Bowl day, barbequed ribs made for a heady match with this powerhouse wine! Dark and brooding, fruit laden, aromatics that filled the room–a very good wine–just right for a spiced, rich meat filled day of football...
2/5/07–Thai test paring: 2002 R.H. Phillips Vineyard, California–100% Shiraz from the Dunnigan Hills. Well, having neglected standing the 93' & 97', while racking the 2003 Rosenblum Cellars, Hillside Vineyard, I found this, the 2002 R.H. Phillips and figured grab a tasting worksheet, the Philips and head for my favorite Thai Restaurant! Yep! Field testing Shiraz sounded like fun...
Like I said: I just can’t believe that this will be the 30th installment of Wine Blogging Wednesday! It seems like only yesterday, with WBW #19, I started participating in these wine web events.
Anyway, I’ll try and pull a couple more from the cellar and get ‘em done for Tim’s WBW #30, over at Winecast, also the host for WBW-22, serving up as host this time ‘round:
Think I got the theme of WBW-30 is New World Syrah/Shiraz--The only rule being the wine needed “to be made from at least 51% Syrah or Shiraz and to have come from the New World..”
I better get this pasted up and post a note to ole’ Tim now–just in case things get all crazy and I start doing Pinot Noir tomorrow night...
Thanks Tim for the work you’re about to do and have done! And thanks Lenn for your serendipitous idea for the “Wine Blogging Wednesday," too...
See you all for #31!
Posted by fortna at February 7, 2007 06:09 PM
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