WTN: Big surprise - 1999 Joseph Phelps Syrah (Monterey)

[David M. Bueker]

Part of a blind tasting last night, the 1999 Joseph Phelps Syrah (Monterey) was an absolute stunner. The wine was full of older Syrah funk, dried herbs, meat, floral and earthy elements. Rich and balanced (13.8% alcohol by the way), it was also lively on the palate, and had incredible depth of flavor. I would nevee have expected a 1999 Monterey Syrah to develop in such a positive way for such a long time, but that's one of the fun elements of blind tasting - preconceptions shattered!

I love surprises from old wine.

I had a $14 German Pinot Noir Hybrid that had been stored for years in mediocre conditions....it was one of the silkiest and most delicious pinotish wines I have ever tasted!

[David M. Bueker]

Frühburgunder?

Frühburgunder?

Wow. I was completely WRONG. I would fail at the trials shown in the SOMM movie! It tasted so PINOT-Y!

DORNFELDER

A relative newcomer, bred in 1955, Dornfelder is already considered a German red wine classic and has been in great demand for years. Originally developed for use as a blending wine to add color to pale red wines, it is a crossing of Helfensteiner and Heroldrebe.

From small beginnings in the mid-1970s - until then, there were only about 100 hectacres of Dornfelder - it began to take off and now covers some 8,000 hectacres or 8% of Germany's total vineyard area; second only to Spätburgunder. Dornfelder was particularly well received by growers in the Pfalz and Rheinhessen, but is also cultivated in most other regions.

stored for years in mediocre conditions....it was one of the silkiest and most delicious pinotish wines I have ever tasted!

How many years? 2/20/60? Sometimes wines that are heat damaged are more approachable and supple, which can come off in a 'nice' way if the circumstances are right and you're not paying too much attention.

stored for years in mediocre conditions....it was one of the silkiest and most delicious pinotish wines I have ever tasted!

How many years? 2/20/60? Sometimes wines that are heat damaged are more approachable and supple, which can come off in a 'nice' way if the circumstances are right and you're not paying too much attention.

Probably five or so. It was indeed "nice"...extremely velvety and lovely. It was literally a "supermarket wine", and probably $11 or so...so I did not expect very much from it, so that helped create a more positive reaction!

Sorry, David. didn't mean to threadjack your post!