Two Syrahs

[joeyz6]

For the "spice" and Syrah tastings in Great Wines Made Simple, I used the following two bottlings:

2000 Guigal Crozes-Hermitage
A deep ruby red. Very closed at first, needed about 30 minutes to an hour to start showing anything more than green, vegetal notes on the nose. I picked up some black pepper, along with clove, fig and prune. Still pretty vegetal, however. Ripe red fruit on the tongue, a bit of mineral and wet stone as well. WS said this wouldn't be ready for a few years and I have to say I agree.

2001 Qupé Syrah Central Coast
Lovely dark purple color. Nose is hot, showing notes of sage, also cassis and raspberry. As the wine breathed I also picked up some coconut, then cumin and cinnamon. A healthy dose of cherry in the mouth, not really tart at all. Full body with soft but noticeable tannins that feel a bit restrained. Dry on the aftertaste. Here's a non-European wine I liked. [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/smile.gif[/img]

[This message has been edited by joeyz6 (edited 09-22-2003).]

[Innkeeper]

I think you should give a good Crozes-Hermitage about five years, so you have been a couple early on the Guigal. We have always enjoyed the Paul Jaboulet Aine, Crozes-Hermitage, Les Jalets. You can sometimes find older vintages of these available, so you don't have to age them too long.

Agree with you on Qupe. They put out some very nice syrah.