Tried last night w/ our SF group:
1. Failla Syrah Estate/SonomaCoast (13.8%) 2008: Very dark color; very strong cold-climate/peppery/roasted/coffee/espresso/rather NorthernRhoneish spicy/blackberry/framboise/Syrah slight herbal/earthy fairly complex nose; tart some tannic/hard very structured very strong cold-climate/peppery/roasted/espresso/smokey strong framboise/blackberry/Syrah/peppery bit earthy complex flavor; very long/lingering very strong cold-climate/peppery/cracked black pepper/espresso/smokey intense spicy/blackberry/framboise/Syrah light smokey/oak somewhat tannic/hard very structured some complex/Rhonish finish; a terrific example of a cold-climate Syrah; doesn't quite have the high-toned/floral character of a CoteRotie, more like a bruiser of a Cornas than anything; will probably go another 10 yrs yet. $50.00
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A wee BloodyPulpit:
1. EhrenJordan's Estate Syrah vnyd is probably about the 4'th-5'th coldest Syrah vnyd in all Calif. It is pretty much the only high-end ($$-wise) Calif Syrah I buy anymore. Truly one of Calif's great Syrah vnyds. And his Pinots are stunningly good as well. A great winemaker that sorta flies under most people's radar. Followed him from the very start, I did/I did.
Tom