Tried these w/ dinner the other night:
1. Novy Nebbiolo StolpmanVnyd/SantaYnezVlly (14.4%) 2005: Med.color; classic Nebb/licorice/tarry/pungent slight floral/violets/lilacs some toasty/oak nose; somewhat tannic/hard rather soft licorice/tarry/Nebb/floral light toasty/oak flavor; med.long soft somewhat hard/tannic licorice/pungent/tarry/Nebb light toasty/oak finish; still needs more age; speaks strongly of Nebb; not as aromatic/perfumed as I'd like.
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2. Skylark Syrah RodgersCreekVnyd/SonomaCoast (Nine brrls; 225 cs; www.SkylarkWine.com; 14.5%) Hopland 2007: Very dark color; lovely cold-climate/cracked black pepper/pungent strong blackberry/Syrah/blueberry light ozone/toasty/oak/pungent slight floral/violets lovely nose; fairly tart cold-climate/cracked black pepper slight roasted/Rhonish strong blackberry/Syrah somewhat tannic/hard fkavor; very long classic cold-climate/cracked black pepper/pungent some mineral/ozone/pungent strong spicy/blackberry/Syrah light roasted/Rhonish toasty/oak finish w/ fair tannins; needs 2-5 yrs yet; a beautiful example of Calif cold-climate Syrah. $35.00
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A wee BloodyPulpit:
1. Novy: I liked this Nebb quite a lot, though it's still pretty tough on the palate. For those who think Nebbiolo must be like those from the Piedmont...run the other direction from this one. It reminds me a bit more of Valtelline Nebb, but w/ more oak and not the earthiness I often find in those.
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2. Skylark: I've tasted JohnLancaster's Syrahs at RR and HdR for several yrs now and thought they were pretty good. This is the first one I've drunk in a recreational mode over dinner, where I could focus on the wine. I was mightly impressed....a classic example of what Syrah can produce in cold-climate areas of Calif. Very fairly priced.
Tom