TN-various shiraz/syrah

[Roberta]

A few weeks ago, Karena posted on the Brand X boards about a tasting of shiraz/syrah from around the world. I later retasted my favorites of the evening along with another one from Washington's Columbia Valley, the '97 Glen Fiona Bacchus Vineyard.

It was a beautiful purple with intense fruit aromas of blackberries, cinnamon, raspberry, black cherry and earth. Very smooth, soft tannins with good pepper-spice notes. My twin said "dirty socks in the best possible way". B+

With respect to the other wines, the '93 St. Hallets was the best. Slight eucalyptus, mint, lamb fat, floral notes with deep fruit - a gorgeous bottle.

The '93 Qupe "Los Olivos Reserve" was my second favorite and it had toffey, smokey bacon with a hint of pepper and olives. A solid fruit core but slightly candied.

My third favorite was the '96 Folie a Deux which was still quite concentrated but not as complex as the other two. We'll see in a few years if it develops.

[misterjive]

A recent bottle of Benziger Syrah impressed
greatly, as did a good ole Bin 128 Shiraz (yes! unfiltered and fine!). Have you had the Banfi Syrah, called "Calvecchio"? It might surprise you, given its Italianate style.

[lushia]

misterjive,

I'm currently cellaring a Banfi Syrah "Colvechio" 1993..Do you think it will last?
I haven't tried it. I'm Hoping that it might show best around 2002 along with my Summus.

[Jason]

Welcome back to Misterjive.
The Banfi Syrah and Summus are really in two different quality levels. The Syrah is a very small production, experimental wine. It certainly should be good for 2003 but don't go much beyond that. The Summus however is a whole different bag. I don't know what year yours is, but get some '95 (quickly) and lay it down.
As chance would have it, Summus is in fact 1/3 Syrah.