LAST CALL!!...WE'VE JUST BOUGHT THE REMAINING INVENTORY
"Aromas of blueberry and blackberry pie are tight and a bit astringent, turning lean and tannic. Needs decanting. Drink now through 2011. 5,900 cases made." (WS)
"A sleeper of the vintage, the 2005 Syrah reveals blacker fruits than the 2004, more pepper, creme de cassis, pine forest, and underbrush characteristics in its full-bodied, deep style. With good underlying acidity and ripe tannin, it should evolve nicely for 5-7 years." (WA)
FULL-BODIED, BALANCED CALIF. SYRAH AT $15.95
2005 KINTON, SANTA BARBARA SYRAH
It is a bit unusual for me to recommend a California or Australian Syrah. Usually I find them too much of a “fruit bomb,” or overly gutsy and lacking even the semblance or even a kissing cousin relationship to any elegance. Luckily, there are some interesting exceptions, and such a one is this modest price Syrah from Santa Barbara County sold using the Kinton label.
Again I turn in agreement to Robert Parker when he rated this 2005 Syrah a 90 and wrote that it’s, “A sleeper of the vintage, the 2005 Syrah reveals blacker fruits than the 2004, more pepper, creme de cassis, pine forest, and underbrush characteristics in its full-bodied, deep style. With good underlying acidity and ripe tannin, it should evolve nicely for 5-7 years." I would add to this that I noticed a goodly amount of dark cherries and also, the acidity and tannin Parker men¬tions, is a major factor in separating the wine from the crowd of usual domestic Syrahs and gives the wine its elegant quality.
Besides the usual beef and lamb affinity this wine would be a hearty companion with zesty and spicy dishes such as a fine Pizza, Bar-B-Q Spare Ribs and meaty Chinese, Mexican and Indian cuisine.
At the winery the wine is around $20, with L.A. Wine Co. having it on special for under $16."
RATING: 89/90
PRICE: $15.95
WHERE: Los Angeles Wine Co.
(Martin's Guide to Wine Bargains)
Winery Notes:
"The 2005 is racy with plum and dark berry, brightened by high notes of cherry, spiced withblack pepper, and scented in the essence of smoky dark chocolate." - Winemaker Peter Fraser |
