• About Caspernick
  • Star Ratings
  • The Master tasting list

Caspernick's Blog

~ My personal wine tasting notes

Caspernick's Blog

Tag Archives: syrah blend

Dutton-Goldfield Spectrum Red NV, Russian River Valley, USA

13 Sunday Aug 2017

Posted by caspernick in Wine

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

$20, 5 stars, 92 points, california, Russian river valley, syrah blend, Zinfandel blend


Very dark purple for a Pinot?  On the nose- it screams heavy duty new world Pinot Noir- Except it isn’t.   I was misled by the bartender who stated it was PN, not a blend of Zin, Syrah and Pinot Noir.  No wonder I was confused!

Strawberry, raspberry, a touch of wood, and some espresso bean comes across on the nose.  On the palate it’s a whole lotta strawberry meets cherry jam and reb currant coulis.  Very rich and flavorful.  This is not a subtle wine, more like ‘HELLO, IT’S ME!’

I like this wine, a lot- albeit it’s not my preferred style.  It offers depth, muscle, extraction and is not afraid to show it.  The mid palate continues the same theme as does the long finish.  Some would say this is one -dimensional, I like it every so often.  It is focused on its core elements and sticks with it.  The tannins are barely perceptible as is the acidity.  Drinking beautifully now, I would pair it with Filet Mignon and creamed Swiss Chard, perhaps a roasted duck with earthy veggies.  Deelish and worthy of 92 points from me.  I think it can be found for around $20, which makes it a steal.  (My rating was way higher than others, I guess I must see something in this wine.)  5 stars.  Salut….

Dutton-Goldfield Spectrum Red

Share this:

  • Email
  • Twitter
  • Reddit
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest

Like this:

Like Loading...

La Boheme Act 4 Syrah Gamay Yarra Valley 2013

14 Sunday Jun 2015

Posted by caspernick in Wine

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

$10, 3 stars, 87 points, Aussie, gamay, syrah blend


Indeed, a blend of Syrah and Gamay.  Best known as the key ingredient in Beaujolais, the Gamay grape is lighter and more perfumed than most.  It can be made in several styles from the easy drinking Nouveau to the cellar worthy Cru Beaujolais.  I have fond memories of drinking it in the cafe’s of Paris and long to return- slightly chilled and always refreshing with a lunch of steak frites.  When I saw the two varietals combined and from Australia no less I felt obliged to spend $10, my curiosity was immense.

Interesting nose of grape jelly with a touch of oak.  Light and refreshing, like Gamay should be. Tart and tannic like a syrah can be. Very unique attack with some plum, purple skittles, and violets. Medium finish and a tannic exit. A must try just to see how the two grapes intertwine. 87 points. 3 stars. $10. 13.5%  make it a tidy number for an al fresco lunch without being too heady.  I will be buying more soon, as I feel this one might develop some interesting hints in the short term.  Salut….

La boheme syrah gamayIMG_2691

 

Share this:

  • Email
  • Twitter
  • Reddit
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest

Like this:

Like Loading...

Leviathan California Red Wine 2011

21 Sunday Dec 2014

Posted by caspernick in Wine

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

4 stars, 91 points, california, syrah, syrah blend


The pretty obscure label and name made me look this one up. 55% Syrah, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc- what a concoction.  Anyway, it can be had for $40 and was brought over by some friends.  Blackish purple shades in the glass promised structure and weight.  Plums, iodine and blackberry on the nose did not disappoint.  Fresh and slightly tannic entry of plums, blackberries, a touch of mint and eucalyptus made for a very interesting combo.  Well balanced with a decent finish had me grabbing for the bottle.  We drank it over cheese, olives and salami before going out to dinner.  It was perfect for the occasion but it would pair really well with Beef Stroganoff, Lamb shanks or even Osso Bucco.  91 points from me make this a 4 star wine and really well worth cellaring for a while.  2014-2020.  Salut….

leviathon red wine

Share this:

  • Email
  • Twitter
  • Reddit
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest

Like this:

Like Loading...

Michel-Schlumberger ‘Coteaux Sauvages’ 2009

07 Monday Oct 2013

Posted by caspernick in Wine

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

$60, 3 stars, 91 points, dry creek valley, petite sirah, sonoma county, syrah blend


The label says “Estate Red”, so I had to look up the varietals because I sensed Syrah from the get-go.  Mind you, I had just spent 19 hours on airplanes to get home from Asia and did not realize I was opening a $60 bottle of vino for a casual drink.  The Syrah was pronounced, with pepper and spice on the nose.  I thought I was drinking a Rhone red, not realizing that this wine was actually from the Sonoma appellation of Dry Creek Valley.  I guess I was really tired from my flight!  Turns out it is a Syrah/Petite Sirah blend (You may recall my love affair with the Petite).  I think that is what is making this wine so interesting and adding the nuances.

The pepper came through again on the palate with dark cherries, which threw me off.  Plums and blackberry also made an entrance.  The wine was all over the place, the profile was Rhone yet the cherry component was very Burgundian.  It was extremely balanced and offered great acidity.  Background tannins held it in check but I fear for long term cellaring.  The wine is a delight to drink now, but at this price it is only a three star wine that wears a 91 point rating in my opinion.  I am thinking it would rock a cheese platter and perhaps a pork roast or just by itself.  I would reserve it against a red meat dish as it shows a delicate side that needs some finesse.  Overall, a lovely wine that I think would offer great pleasure in the right moment with the right person.  Easy to drink, yet complex.  Salut….

IMG_2627

Share this:

  • Email
  • Twitter
  • Reddit
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest

Like this:

Like Loading...

RSS Me!

RSS Feed

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 288 other subscribers
Follow Caspernick's Blog on WordPress.com

Archives

Blogs I Follow

  • Finger Lakes Connected
  • the drunken cyclist
  • The Bubbly Professor
  • grapefriend
  • Drink What YOU Like

Blog at WordPress.com.

Finger Lakes Connected

the drunken cyclist

I have three passions: wine, cycling, travel, family, and math.

The Bubbly Professor

Excellent Adventures in Wine and Spirits Education

grapefriend

grapefriend. wine. fun.

Drink What YOU Like

  • Follow Following
    • Caspernick's Blog
    • Join 177 other followers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • Caspernick's Blog
    • Customize
    • Follow Following
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar
 

Loading Comments...
 

    %d bloggers like this: