WTN: Branaire, Syncline

[Jenise]

A night out with friends.

Anne and Ron brought:

2002 Syncline Cabernet Sauvignon, Washington State (Horse Heaven Vineyard, I believe)
Excellent Washington cabernet nose with restrained red fruit and minerals--and importantly, none of the extracted blueberry or high alcohol notes often associated with this state's wines. Balanced, structured and elegant. Very impressive, in fact. We had this and the wine below poured side by side, and though the complexity and sweet nose of the Bordeaux were immediately more compelling, with time in the glass the Syncline became equally as fetching in its own way. Will continue to improve with further cellaring--never had a Syncline before, but I'll be looking for this label from now on.

We brought:

1995 Branaire, St. Julien (Bordeaux)
When you get a wine that's really "drinking perfectly right now", you realize how rarely you get to say that. Well, this one's drinking perfectly right now. Effusive nose of black fruit, cedar/spice and wet earth/leaves that could only belong to Bordeaux, and on the palate rich black currant and cassis fruit with integrated oak and silky tannins. Nice to drink on it's own but really fantastic when sipped after a bite of rare steak. One of my favorite 95's--so far.

[David M. Bueker]

I am surprised a 1995 would be drinking so well now. I had the '95 Clerc Milon Thursday night, and it was still tight, tannic and giving no pleasure.

Perhaps it's just Branaire's generous nature coming out.

Jenise; I've been hearing nice things about Syncline for several years from people who know the wines I make who keep telling me I'd like Syncline. I just have to find some, I guess.

[Jenise]

Jenise; I've been hearing nice things about Syncline for several years from people who know the wines I make who keep telling me I'd like Syncline. I just have to find some, I guess.

Steve, as if I weren't interested enough--almost nothing you could say would pique my interest more as it confirms that this bottle wasn't a one-off and I'd find stylistic consistency to this experience across their line. There goes the wine budget (again)! In addition to cabernet, I know they make several syrahs.

David, someone posted here (Dale?) not all that long ago about the Branaire in a way that made me decide to open one in the near future. Otherwise, my experience is like yours with other 95's and I've left mine alone.

A1995 Branaire.

Missed seeing this earlier today. Do you remember that this was one of my favorites, too? And my favorite 1995. Drank it two nights back to back in a San Diego restaurant and ordered a case, just to find all the bottles had loose corks. One of my profoundest disappointments when I couldn't find any more. Lucky you. Hope your friends appreciated it.

Covert

[Jenise]

Yes, I do remember that you loved this wine--that's why I knew to buy it in the first place! A whole case with loose corks? What wretched luck. The cork in this bottle, I have to report, was as tight and pristeen as a cork gets. Looked brand new but for the red tip.

Like David, I've found most '95s tight. But I agree the Branaire is open and in a good place. We did a vertical last year with about a dozen vintages 1975-2004, this was my note:
1995 Branaire Ducru (St. Julien)
Bright cassis fruit edged with kirsch, integrated oak, ripe and ready. Nice, maybe my favorite for current consumption. B+