Tasted this Sat afternoon at ArroyoVino w/ Brian:
1. Hellmore Syrah "TheWanderer" SalisburyVnyd/AvilaVlly (15.0%) 2009: Dark color; strong blackberry/boysenberry/Syrah/spicy bit licorice/pungent slight fumey/alcoholic rather peppery/spicy/green olive slight smokey/oak very attractive nose; somewhat tart bit tannic/hard strong blackberry/black cherry/Syrah/spicy slight peppery/licorice/pungent light smokey/oak slight Rhonish flavor; long bit tannic/hard strong blackberry/Syrah/black cherry cola some spicy/green olive/peppery light charred/oak finish; still needs 2-5 yrs; definite cold-climate/peppery character; very attractive Syrah. $nc (DD)
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And a wee BloodyPulpit:
1. This is a Ho-Made wine, made by DarrenDelmore, National Marketing guy for TablasCreek. He left it several weeks ago when he was working the SantaFe market w/ Brian at ArroyoVino, w/ the admonition that it was to be tasted w/ me at a later date. That date arrived this Sat.
Not sure exactly where the SalisburyVnyd is located. There is a Salisbury Wnry located just north of AvilaBeach, before you get to SanLuisObispo. Didn't even know there was an AvilaVlly designation and don't believe it is a recognized AVA. They apparently also own vnyds up in PasoRobles as well.
Not sure where Darren made this wine nor who his mentor was. But it's hardly what I'd describe as an amateur or home-made wine...very professional I'd have to say.
The peppery character suggests this is definitely a cold-climate Syrah. Certainly no resemblance to any TablasCreek Syrahs I've had. It reminds me a bit of the Qupe Sonnie's Syrah (EdnaVlly) a bit, but w/o the Rhonish character that shows. Also reminds me a bit of an Alban Syrah w/o the over-the-top character, the alcohol, and the charred/burnt oak. Probably the closest is a few of the Latetia Syrahs afore they pulled their Syrah vines.
Anyway...quite a well-made Syrah and I guess you could say I followed Hellmore from (before) the very start.
Tom