Anyway, with tri-tip, polenta, sausages, etc:
2001 Edmonds St john Wylie Fernaughty Syrah. Decanted for about an hour and a half, poured back into the bottle, then re-decanted at my friends' house. Inky black in color. Somewhat restrained nose. Very elegant and medium bodied, with nice black brambly fruit dominant. Just a tiny hint of warmth, but compared to many Caliofnria Syrahs, this was restrained to me. As the wine continued to evolve, a hint of savory and meaty notes became apparant. This was probably drunk way too young, 'cause it was somewhat primary in character. Still, the balance and elegance, which are hard to describe, made this a very nice wine. 16.5/20 now, with strong upside potential.
Second wine was a organic Bordeaux from Cotes de Francs- 2004 Chateau Le Puy. Mostly Merlot, of course, being a Saint Emillion satellite. Farmed by the family since 1610 or so, I discovered this wine at a newish "Natural" Wine Bar in San Francisco-Terroir. Definitely cherry and cassis on the nose, with some nice herbs and leather/young tobacco. On the palate, this bottle differed than the previous one in that I got more red brambly cherry fruit-or maybe raspberry, along with the nice herbs and leather and young tobacco on the palate. This wine just feels "alive" to me-it is very lively on the palate and in the mouth. There is bracing acidity that makes it a great food wine. It was a hit with my friends, too, including a couple fairly new to wine who are not that familiar with Bordeaux. For a 2004 wine, this beauty is drinking well right now. I'm not sure it has the big dry tannins to necessitate aging, but the wine bar owners have tried older vintages which they felt were lovely (unsulfured, though)
I'm a newbie to Bordeaux, and I know this wine is not a grand label from a prestige appellation, but I really enjoyed drinking this wine! Maybe there is something to the "woowoo" of organic farming and even biodynamics!
Such a lively quaff-not cheap at $31, but well worth it. 18/20