Sensational Syrah and Shiraz

The 2011 Shiraz and Syrah samples kept coming in and as a result there were a lot more wines to  review for this report than in previous ones. This is a very comprehensive list of sensational Shiraz and Syrah. There were also many that we tried that didn’t make the cut. We do not mention them here but there were several disappointing offerings so keep this in mind as you make your Shiraz and Syrah purchases.

Our highest scoring Shiraz is Excellent. It is also one of the most expensive wines that I have covered in this report. This wine is an investment to establish the high water mark in your evaluation. We awarded the 2008 Chateau Tanunda “Noble Baron” Shiraz with 94 points at this year’s Boston Wine Expo. It costs $50, however I would definitely say that it is worth it and it is very impressive. Overall, it was one of our favorite wines at the Expo.  It is full-bodied, silky, and quite refined. Its flavor profile is a tasty blueberry with hints of blackberry and black raspberry. If finishes with dry, fine tannins that drift away nicely. This elegant Shiraz would be perfect with a filet mignon at your favorite steakhouse.

The next three Syrahs come from two California producers who are at the top of their game in terms of making high level Syrah. All three wines scored 93 points. The first one we cover was the big winner from this past winter’s big blind tasting. The 2008 Carlisle “Papa’s Block” Syrah for $45 was a hit with the panel. It opens with a prominent fruit forward boysenberry bouquet with a touch of blackberry and oak. It is medium-bodied and smooth as silk. The panel fell in love with its very tasty and luscious black currant flavors with hints of black cherry, black pepper and spice. The finish was quite satisfying, as its dry fine tannins are a touch tingly, but sailed away nicely. This is also another filet mignon wine. The tricky part with this one is there were only 215 cases of this wine made, so finding a bottle will be a challenge but it will be a worth while treasure hunt if you can secure some.

The final two 93 point beauties come from the same producer, Donelan Family Wines, formerly know as Pax. The 2009 “Walker Vine Hill” Syrah for $45 seems to be one of my favorites every year. It is medium-bodied, very well balanced, and smooth. The hook for me is it delicious blueberry flavors with infused vanilla cream and a hint of strawberry. It finishes dry with fine tannins that are pleasantly prolonged and a bit sticky. I could drink this wine all night long.  It’s a winner! The 2008 “Griffin’s Lair” Syrah from Donelan for $45 is a bit bigger in structure and stature than the Walker Vine. I described it as full-bodied, balanced, and savory with very tasty and extracted blueberry and gentle smoky oak flavors. There was also nicely integrated black pepper throughout.  This Syrah needs food in the near term to accompany it.  It went perfectly with my Delmonico steak at Grill 23.

The next 4 wines all scored 92 points.  The price points vary widely.  We will start with the best deal.  The 2008 Chateau Tanunda “Grand Barossa” Shiraz is an absolute steal at $18. Perhaps they used some of the Noble Baron grapes in this one. It opens with a fragrant and attractive blueberry and wintergreen bouquet with a hint of anise. It is medium-bodied, well balanced, and smooth with tasty blueberry flavors with a hint of gentle plum. Its tannins are fine, well managed and very friendly. Buy this wine by the case!

The next wine would definitely fool you in a blind tasting. You would be hard pressed to guess it is from California. The 2006 Arrowood “Saralee’s Vineyard” Syrah for $30 is from the Russian River Valley.  It opens with a very intriguing bouquet of black cherry, smoky oak, peach and tangerine aromas. On the palate it is rather smooth with smoky oak infused black currant flavor with hints of blackberry, beef jerky, and black pepper. I felt that this hearty Syrah would pair perfectly with a ribeye steak with lots of Hollandaise sauce.

Our next Syrah tied for second place in our big blind tasting. The 2008 Stolpman “Originals” for $38 hails from the Santa Ynez Valley in California. The panel found this Syrah to be full-bodied, balanced, and rich with smoky oak infused black currant and ripe blackberry flavors. We also detected some notes of black olives and anise as well. Its dusty oak tannins are quite persistent, which make it a nice match for slow cooked short ribs.

The other half of the tie was the 2007 Shafer Relentless from the Napa Valley for $60. This wine is Very Good every vintage and always one of our top showing Syrah based wines.  The 2007 opens with an aromatic blueberry and blackberry jam bouquet with a hint of toasty oak. It is full-bodied and savory with fruit forward spicy black raspberry and coffee flavors.  There are hints of black currant and black pepper mixed in to add to its complexity. It finishes big with tingly tannins that are quite lengthy. The panel suggested that this wine would pair well with beef bourguignon.

The next seven Syrahs and Shiraz offerings scored 91 points. We will start with the very affordable 2008 Schild Estate Shiraz from the “Barossa Valley.” At $18 this wine is a very above average value. It is well balanced and quite smooth with mild blackberry flavors with a hint of licorice and black currant. It finishes dry and its fine tannins are elegant and drift away nicely. It is quite food-friendly and would pair perfectly with Theresa's meatloaf.

Next we venture to the Uco Valley in Argentina. You might think that that is unusual as Argentina is the land of Malbec. But Luca’s 2009 “Laborde Double Select” Syrah is consistently one of the best Syrahs that we cover each year. At $25 it is also a great value for a 91 point wine. It is full-bodied, well balanced, rather smooth and approachable. The flavor profile is a tasty black raspberry with a hint of red currant and boysenberry. Its fruit flavors linger on the finish. Its moderate dusty tannins linger for quite sometime.

Returning to Australia, the 2007 Leeuwin Estate “Art Series” Shiraz from the Margaret River region really impressed the panel. Its luscious black cherry and blueberry flavors with a hint of menthol were very well received. The panel suggested serving this impressive and tasty Shiraz with pork tenderloin or duck.

The 2006 Thelema for $37 is from Stellenbosch, South Africa. It was also well received by a mini tasting group that I assembled. We thought it was smooth and polished and displayed tasty mild oak infused black currant flavors with a touch of blackberry and black pepper. It is a terrific example of what can be accomplished with this grape in South Africa. I look forward to covering more Syrahs from this up and coming country.

Kilikanoon is a solid Shiraz producer from down under. Their 2007 “Covenant” Shiraz scored 91 points. It costs $40 per bottle and is from the Clare Valley. It was medium-bodied, silky and lush. The flavor profile is a mild blackberry with notes of blueberry and oak.  The finish is sticky and shows very nice length. I would pair this very tasty Shiraz with braised barbecue short ribs.

Donelan returns to the winner circle with the 2009 “Kobler Family Vineyard” Syrah for $45. This European styled Syrah from California’s Green Valley is, very well balanced, refined and smooth. It displays unique soft mineral infused gentle blackberry flavors with notes of black pepper and a hint of old oak. I felt it would be a good match with beef bourguignon.

The remainder of our recommendations are also Very Good Syrah and Shiraz. I encourage you to read the reviews and try these offerings as well.

Kendall Jackson 2007 Syrah “Grand Reserve” (Santa Barbara County, CA) $25
Kilikanoon 2007 Shiraz “Testament”(Barossa Valley, Australia) $40
Matetic 2008 Syrah “EQ” (San Antonio, Chile) $41
Donelan 2009 Syrah “Cuvee Christine” (North Coast, CA) $45

Kilikanoon 2008 Shiraz “Killerman's Run” (South Australia) $20
Yangarra 2008 Shiraz (McLaren Vale, Australia) $25
Two Hands 2008 Shiraz “Gnarly Dudes” (Barossa Valley, Australia) $25
Reininger 2007 Syrah “Helix” (Columbia Valley, WA) $27
Novy 2008 Syrah “Gary’s Vineyard” (Santa Lucia Highlands, CA) $29
Rudi Schultz 2007 Syrah (Stellenbosch, South Africa) $37
Reininger 2007 Syrah “Walla Walla” (Washington) $41