A flight of young, Sonoma Coast Syrah:
2011 Wind Gap Wines Syrah Sonoma Coast - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (1/31/2015)
Opened about 2 hours prior to serving, the 2011 Wind Gap Sonoma Coast Syrah showed earthy, meaty tones, as well as sufficient, but not boisterous black fruit aromas. On the palate it was medium bodied, slightly tannic, and focused on the meaty side, with herbal overtones and the fruit building more as time wore on, but never taking center stage. I liked both the elegance and the focus on meaty/earthy elements, though it polarized the group a bit, with several big fans (including me), and a few who did not like the wine at all.
2012 Arnot-Roberts Syrah Griffin's Lair - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (1/31/2015)
Unlike a bottle I had earlier in January 2015, this one got some air (maybe 2 hours) from opening until consumption. That time allowed the acid spine of the wines to calm down a bit, and the fruit, meat and earthy/olive/herb elements to come out more. It was still somewhat dominated by its acid structure, but was quite enjoyable when served with some of the nibbles set out for the tasting. Hopefully I will find a way to leave my other bottles alone for several more years.
2010 Pax Syrah Griffin's Lair - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (1/31/2015)
This was the riches wine in the flight, and the group favorite due to the non-geeks who appreciated the volume being turned up a bit. Lots more dark berry fruit in this wine than any of the others, and as such the earthy/meaty/herbal elements were pushed into the background. It took a good bit of coaxing to get beyond the ripe (though not at all goopy) fruit, and find additional complexity. My other bottle is going to sit in the cellar for a good long while, to allow additional characteristics to come out.
2012 Arnot-Roberts Syrah North Coast - USA, California, North Coast (1/31/2015)
This was opened later than the other wines in the flight (and not totally within the focused theme), so I decanted it to give it some air. The first pours were very reductive, with a lot of rubber aromas and the palate was focused on acid. After swirling the decanter for five minutes, and giving the wine another 25-30 minutes take on some air, the rubber elements disappeared, replaced by roasted meat, blackberries and warm herbs. It showed more fruit and less earth than the Wind Gap, but given the level of reduction on opening I am tempted to not try another for 2-3 more years.