We tried last night (1/6/16) some Radio-Coteau Syrahs:
1. Radio-Coteau Syrah LaColinas/SonomaCoast/SonomaCnty (U/U; 14.1%; 298 cs) 2009: Very dark color w/ no bricking;
very strong blackberry/black cherry/boysenberry/Syrah quite cracked black pepper/cold-climate light pencilly/
oak very spicy slight mineral/pungent very perfumed/fragrant/high-toned nose; bit tart/tangy strong blackberry/
black cherry/spicy/Syrah bit black pepper light pencilly/oak flavor w/ light smooth tannins; very long/lingering
very strong spicy/blackberry/Syrah/black cherry light oak slight mineral/pungent finish w/ light gentle tannins;
more mineral & more complex that the '13 and right about at its peak but should go another 6-8 yrs. $38.00
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2. Radio-Coteau Syrah LaColinas/SonomaCoast/SonomaCnty (U/U; 14.1%) 2013: Very dark color; intense blackberry/Syrah/
boysenberry/very spicy rather peppery/black pepper beautifully perfumed nose; lightly tart intense blackberry/
boysenberry/Syrah/quite spicy light black pepper light toasty/oak flavor w/ some firm tannins; very long/lingering
intense blackberry/Syrah/boysenberry light pencilly/oak finish w/ modest firm tannins; loads of intense Syrah
fruit but great structure & well-balanced; not as complex/nuanced as the '09. $44.00
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3. Radio-Coteau Syrah CherryCampVnyd/SonomaCoast (U/U; 320 cs; 13.4%) 2012: Very dark color; intense cracked black
pepper/cold-climate/bit Rhonish intense blackberry/black cherry cola/floral/violets/high-toned/very spicy light
pencilly/oak very fragrant/perfumed beautiful nose; bit softer rich/lush intense blackberry/Syrah/black cherry cola
light pencilly/oak light dusty/mineral flavor w/ modest smooth tannins; very long/lingering intense black cherry
cola/blackberry/Syrah light peppery finish w/ some smooth tannins; rich & lush but very structured; very well-
balanced and should go out 10 yrs or more. $50.00
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4. Radio-Coteau Syrah DustyLane/SonomaCoast/SonomaCnty (U/U; 162 cs; Certified Organic grapes; 13.4%) 2012: Very
dark/near black color; less black pepper very intense blackberry/Syrah/blackberry/very spicy light smokey/pencilly/
oak very fragrant/perfumed bit complex nose; lightly tart intense blackberry/Syrah/black cherry/very spicy light
smokey/oak very light peppery flavor w/ modest smooth/ripe tannins; very long/lingering structured/balanced
intense blackberry/black cherry/Syrah/spicy light smokey/pencilly/oak finish w/ some smooth tannins; a bit
simpler than the other Syrahs but balanced & structure and should go out 10 yrs or more. $60.00
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A wee BloodyPulpit:
1. R-C: This is the wnry of EricSussman, formerly asst winemaker at Dehlinger. He is most well-known (natch) for
his PinotNoirs. But I particularly like his Syrahs, which are high-toned (like a Syrah made by a Pinot
producer) and well-structured w/ wonderful aromatics. He also makes Zin from the vonWeidlich/Robert'sBlock/LeMorel
vnyd out on HarrisonGradeRd. Not to be sniveled at is his Riesling from the PlattVnyd, one of the best Rieslings
being made in Calif. A very/very good winemaker that I have followed from the very start and should be a lot
better known amongst SyrahHeads..
The LasColinas Syrah is typically a blend of the four R-C Syrah vnyds: DustyLane/HarrisonGrade/CherryCamp/
Timbervine. Timbervine is RRV, but the other three are SonomaCoast/cold-climate Syrah. The HarrisonGrade vnyd is
their Estate vnyd up on OccidentalRidge, not far from vonWeidlich. Eric uses varying amounts of whole-cluster
ferments w/ his Syrah.
This tasting convinced me I should pay more attention to the R-C wines and not pass on them because
I've "been there/done that".
Tom