2006 Melville Syrah

[wondersofwine]

Melville makes more than one Syrah and I'm not sure which this is. I ordered a glass at Nana's Restaurant in Durham Friday during the Triangle Wine Experience. It was a hearty accompaniment to rabbit loin wrapped in Serrano ham with herbed spatzele (German egg noodles/tiny dumplings) and root vegetables. The wine was a dark purple color, opaque and viscous. Dense or thick texture and flavor with a little spice (cardamon or eastern spices.) It probably could have used more time in the cellar but was approachable with the rabbit.

I had a cheese plate for dessert with a Banyuls. The trio of cheeses included Celebrity Farms "Silk Hope" ash-covered bleu cheese, Hook's Cheddar, and St. Andre triple cream served with toasted ovals and homemade apple jelly. The glass of Banyuls was a 2006 M. Chapoutier. It was too chilled and the nose was quite muted. I asked the waiter about serving it so chilled and he said they finished off a bottle the previous night and during the winter the cellar keeps the wines really cold, so I guess it came directly from cold storage.