WTN: Criminal Jamet

Drinking the 2004 Jamet Cotes du Rhone which delivers an amazingly pure syrah fix for only 10 or 11euros.

From the moment I opened the bottle it was gorgeous with soft expressive red fruits and smoky bacon, but as it airs it has become deeper and more finely etched, while remaining so damned juicy, mineral, fresh, and FUN!

The essence of a QPR experience.

Strong strong buy.

Thank you so much, Rahsaan. I have friend who is a syrah-head. We make it in his garage every year. And I always comment that his syrah has this "smoky bacon" or even "bacon fat" taste which, of course, I mean in quite a complimentary way. He insists that I am crazy. I appreciate your reference to the same. Now he can call us both crazy, but it's good not to be alone.

No problem. But it's not just me, I always thought that was a classic syrah descriptor. Funny that we both arrived at it from different angles.

Well, I make him feel better when we're in company by closing my eyes, giving my head a slight swirl, and pronouncing "du lardon fumé." To be honest, however, I really think it's the oak staves which he's using. What do you expect? We live in Martinez.

I have friend who is a syrah-head. We make it in his garage every year. And I always comment that his syrah has this "smoky bacon" or even "bacon fat" taste which, of course, I mean in quite a complimentary way.

Gary, that smoky-bacon taste is exactly what I love about Syrah. Throw in a bit of tar and pepper, and I love it. Of course, I tend to prefer a leaner palate-feel to Syrah, so I haven't traditionally bought a lot of warm-climate/New-World versions (typically the "Shirazes" of the world).

Interestingly, Baco Noir in Ontario very often mimics that same Syrah profile of bacon fat and roasted lard, though it's much zingier in terms of acidity than most French Syrah-based reds.

[Jenise]

Well, I make him feel better when we're in company by closing my eyes, giving my head a slight swirl, and pronouncing "du lardon fumé." To be honest, however, I really think it's the oak staves which he's using. What do you expect? We live in Martinez.

Tasted a super fine syrah made by Washington state winery Kestrel the other day. First two things I smelled? Violets and bacon.

Tasted a super fine syrah made by Washington state winery Kestrel the other day. First two things I smelled? Violets and bacon.

If there are "comfort foods," I imagine there are also "comfort aromas." There's something nice about that smoky bacon smell which draws me to syrah. Sometimes I wonder if that readily recognizable redolence appeals to whatever secret, subliminal wine-geek vanities I might harbor. "Aha, I know what it is so I like it!! Look at me!! I can identify this wine by its smell!!" (I will gladly submit to psychological testing as long as there as the wine samples are adequate.) It's the same thing with zinfandel, sauvignon blanc and pinot noir. Do I like them because I recognize them or do I recognize them because I like them? Odd beasties we human beings are.

Some Burgundies have that bacon fat element also. I've encountered it with some Cote de Nuits St. Georges. I find it very attractive. (Glad I don't have to avoid bacon for religious reasons).