Syrah from France and Italy

[wondersofwine]

(also posted on another board)
2001 Paul Jaboulet-Aine' Crozes Hermitage "Les Jalets" importer: Frederick Wildman & Sons
100% Syrah $13-$15

Purple-garnet color.
Cassis and mulberries on the nose. Black currants and mulberries on the palate. Smooth and seamless taste. Rich juice. Went nicely with a lamb cutlet with rosemary and a French-style brown sauce.


2001 Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona Fabius, Sant' Antimo Rosso
Syrah Normally sold for about $40; on sale for $30
Produced 6000 bottles using new barriques.

Saturated dark purple color; almost opaque.
The black currant scent blows away the Crozes Hermitages. Fruit-driven wine of black currants with lengthy
finish and surprisingly soft tannins. Still, it probably has the structure to age for three-to-five more years.
This wine definitely showed best the first evening opened.