Reviews & Ratings

2011 Navarro Vineyards Syrah & Shiraz (Other than French) "Mendocino"

Winery: Navarro Vineyards

Vintage: 2011

Wine Name/Vineyard: "Mendocino"

Wine Category: Syrah & Shiraz (Other than French)

Grape blend: 80% Syrah & 20% Grenache

Bottle size: 750 ml

Region: Mendocino

State or country: CA

Price: $27

Cases produced: 530

KWG Score: 88 (based on 1 review)

Ken's Wine Rating: Very Good (88)

Review date: April 30, 2014

Wine Review: This dark ruby colored Shiraz from Mendocino is very good. It opens with a mild red plum bouquet with a hint of maraschino cherry. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied, balanced, and easy to drink. The flavor profile is black plum with nicely integrated gentle oak with hints of blackberry and dried cranberry. The finish is dry and its well managed mild tannins make it quite friendly and easy to enjoy. That said it is very food friendly and would pair well with Theresa's meatloaf. Enjoy - Ken

Winemaker Notes: Urban legend says that Syrah came from Syria or Persia, hence the name Shiraz. 1998 DNA research would indicate otherwise. Since Syrah was a spontaneous vineyard cross, the two varieties would have had to grow in close proximity and remote Isère, in the French Rhône-Alps, seems to be the most probable place of origin. The anthocyanins in Syrah skins are higher than many other red wine grape varieties making its wine suitable for long term aging and maturation. To soften Syrah's tannic edge, Navarro's tasting panel chose a blend which included twenty percent Dark Horse Grenache. Dark and earthy, it has hints of black currant, plum and coffee.

Buy it: Use 1000 Corks to find stores that sell Navarro 2011 Shiraz.