Cracked this last night w/ leftovers:
1. Peay Syrah LaBruma/Estate/SonomaCoast (13.4%) 2008: Very dark color; low-key/subtle blueberry/blackberry/Syrah rather spicy/herbal/rosemary/thyme/garrigue slight peppery/cold-climate/mocha rather perfumed/aromatic/Pinot-like lovely nose; fairly tart/lean rather blueberry/blackberry/Syrah some herbal/rosemary/peppery bit angular/tight/lean somewhat hard/tannic flavor; very long some hard/tannic/lean/angular strong blueberry/blackberry/Syrah rather spicy/herbal/rosemary fairly tart/acid finish; some cold-climate/peppery but rather tight/angular and badly needs age; should be a very interesting Syrah w/ 8-12 yrs. Very interesting Syrah w/ lots of potential. $50.00
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And a wee stirring-the-pot BloodyPulpit:
1. So....this was a low-alcohol Syrah (13.4%). Was it in balance??? I'd have to say no. The tart/acid character and the tannins definitely took any balance away from this wine. Any standard Novy Syrah (at usually 14.5%+) would be one I find more in balance than this Peay and more a pleasure to drink...at this point in time. Did I like this wine, despite its lack of balance?? Absolutely. It was a very interesting wine and I have high hopes it will eventually achieve the balance I hope for. The take-home point here: Low alcohol levels do not automatically confer "balance" in a wine. Unless I don't understand this "balance" thing at all...which may be possible...I'm still learning about wines.
Tom