2002 Parsonage Estate Syrah

[oostexan]

This is Bill Parsonage's entry level Syrah. He is turning out damn good juice in his Carmel Valley winery.

I got this on my wine club order, so it has a couple years on it, and they have been good to this wine. Though it is not as deep and thick as the 04's that I tasted at the winery six months ago, I imagine that it has benefited from time in the bottle.

If you are a Syrah fan, the nose is heavenly, but it benefited from two hours in the decanter. The flavor profile is very Central Cali, with very dark fruit of blackberry, black leather, and luscious dark cherry. All dark fruit. No sweetness, and it has none of of that bright ruby or familiar bright cherry profile that is tyipcal of Northern Cali Syrah. A refreshing change of pace.

This this is a brooding wine with a long black fruit finish that lingers on the tongue. Not to say it is a fruit bomb at all, as it has very good structure and feels great in the mouth with good complexity. This is a cerebral wine for folks who want to think about what it is they are tasting. It ranks somewhere between wonderful and all out terrific. I need to blind taste it against my favorites.

It was 30 bucks and only 325 cases were produced. If you are a Syrah fanatic (like me), this winery warrants your attention.

Mark

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But that aint the truth...the truth is, you're the weak, and I am the tyranny of evil men. But I'm trying Ringo, I'm trying real hard to be the shepard.

[wondersofwine]

Nice notes. I will have to try some of those Syrahs.