Fess Parker 2004 Syrah, Santa Barbara
15 Jul 2014- Details
- Category: Uncorked Tonight
(April 11, 2014) ... Maybe you've heard me speak of my brother before, a beer drinker at heart who likes his reds big, and with dinner. I stopped in with little notice one weekday evening having something to do in Toronto the next day and needing something to do the evening before the other something (if you catch my drift). But I did not drop by empty handed, I brought two bottles along ... One an old Syrah from California with more than 16% alcohol, and a bruiser of a Cab Sauv from Australia that a buddy of mine in Michigan recommended (maybe you've heard me mention Dave a time or two). I kicked things off with the Fess Parker 2004 Syrah, this was a bit of a wonky wine that showed smooth cherry, hints of white pepper, dried raspberries and plums while on the finish Christmas spices lingered amongst dried fruit. It was showing its age, but unlike a few years ago when I tasted it, the wine seemed to be dealing with the alcohol better (pretty impressive showing considering it was sealed with a plastic cork) ... The wine for dinner was the Shinas Estate 2008 The Verdict. What a powerhouse. Raspberry and cherry dominated from the get go, while there is some nice chocolate that appears on the mid-palate and enough spice to keep it all from being cloyingly sweet ... I was impressed with this one, but not surprised, as my buddy Dave in Michigan rarely steers me wrong when it comes to wine.
