2002 Rosenblum England Shaw Syrah

[oostexan]

I put a couple of these away because, at first release, it was just so big that I thought it would settle down a little with a couple years in the cellar. I was wrong.

Pulled the cork out and it was black. I mean black. Deep, dark, and thick in the glass. Nice nose of dark fruits, black cherry, and vanilla oak. Took a drink and I promise I said "holy shit." Goes in nice, but then this huge mid-palate of concentrated extracted fruit, oak, and alcohol just clubs you over the head. Long finish, but there is nothing polite about this wine. It is massive and is more Aussie Shiraz than Northern Rhone in its flavor profile.

I would probably have really liked this a couple years ago, but my palate is more conditioned to mouthfeel and complexity now. For the style, it is a heavy hitter. If you like the style (and the oak). Huge wine that destroyed the marinated fajitas I grilled for dinner. Honestly, I am not sure what I would pair with this.

Mark