WTN: Syrah and chard. notes

2001 Jamet, Côte-Rôtie:
At first, the same rambunctious child of a wine it was two years ago – and then, the magic happens – intense but composed, concentrated yet elegant, integrated but complex and [itypicité[/i] for the AOC.
A beautiful wine, just coming into its prime – still vibrant and even nervous in the mouth but with style and character.
I chose this because Diane was making Rancho Gordo bean with bacon soup – a superb match. Simple but perfect food with great wine; the sweet life.

2005 de Vilaine, Côte Chalonnaise Les Clous (blanc):
Either this is in the very initial stages of premox or it is closed – came across as honeyed and mulled spicy but no sherried quality, richer then expected and yet still finely textured and a long finish. As the evening wore on, it got brighter and juicier so I am hoping this bottle was just a bit closed. 12.5% alcohol.

2007 L. Michel, Chablis Montmains:
13% alcohol; fresh lemon juice nose that is bight and pretty narrow – becomes somewhat more open over several hours; nervous, vibrant and precise in the mouth with lots of cut and lovely Chablis fruit =- it too opens over time; crisp finish. Too closed at the moment but lots of promise. Screwcap.

2007 Cowan Cellars, Syrah Dry Stack Vnyd.:
Expansive aromas of lilac, purple fruits and spice/pepper; medium bodied but concentrated with bright purple/blue fruit and pepper flavors, some mineral and light red fruit accents, satin texture, good integration and structure; long, fruit-filled finish. 13.9% alcohol. The overall impression is of a well balanced wine that saw no new wood.
(Aside: It may be unusual for the guy who made the wine to do a tasting note on it but, since this vintage will never be commercially released, perhaps you’ll let me slide. This bottle required decanting for about an hour to open up enough to serve. It’s still not at peak but I thought it drank well (even in the absence of food) and my guests agreed. Indeed, I am happy with this wine.)

Best, Jim

[David M. Bueker]

Thanks Jim.

I did not know that Louis Michel had gone at least partially screw cap. That's good news for me.

I shudder at the idea of the de Vilaine showing premox. If a "Florida Jim approved" wine is subject to premox then we are all up the creek without a batton(age).

Glad to hear your inaugural Syrah is doing well. I look forward to trying your 2008 alongside Steve Edmunds' 2008 Syrah.

How many bottles of the Syrah did you produce, Jim and where is Dry Stack Vineyard located?

where is Dry Stack Vineyard located?

Bennett Valley, north of Sonoma.

How many bottles of the Syrah did you produce, Jim and where is Dry Stack Vineyard located?

JC,
Our first commercial vintage was 2008 (73 cases of syrah). We anticipate releasing it at the end of this year or the beginning of next - but won't until I feel it is ready. Only one chance to make a first impression, you know.
In 2009 we did 100 cases of syrah.
In 2010 we will be up to about 150 cases of syrah but our pinot program will come on line then and that should be 300-400 cases of pinot.
And for curiosity sake, we did 23 cases of skin-fermented sauvignon blanc in 2008 - to be released at the same time the 2008 syrah is.

If you have ever been to Matanzeas Creek winery, that's Bennett Valley.
Best, Jim