After big fails on 4 Garretson '02, I picked something safe:
1. Drew Syrah ValentiRanch/MendoRidge (12.8%; Drk: 2016-2026; 1.9 tons/acre; 5% Viognier co-frmtd; Clone 1; 50% whole-cluster) 2014: Med.color; slightly peppery/cold-climate Syrah/cracked black pepper strong blueberry/blackberry/Syrah/spicy slight earthy/dusty light toasty/oak/smokey rather restrained/complex attractive nose; fairly tart/lean some black pepper/cold-climate Syrah some blueberry/blackberry/Syrah/fairly spicy light earthy flavor w/ light angular/wirey tannins; long rather tart/lean/bit eviscerated light black pepper/c-c Syrah rather blueberry/blackberry/Syrah rather savory/lean finish w/ light bit bitey tannins; a quiet lean/wirey Syrah that needs 2-5 yrs of age. $45.00
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A wee BloodyPulpit:
1. JasonDrew is, of course, one of the darlings of the IPoB crowd. After the 4 (way) over-the-top/DoA Garretsons, I wanted something a bit more exciting, so I grabbed this Syrah. It was a nice/pleasant Syrah, on the quiet/restrained side, but it just left me wishing for a bit more...something w/ more pizzazz. And when I went back to the soupy/porky StCosme '14; I just decided to blow of any sort of satisfying wine experience for the night. Shoulda gone for the IngridGroiss.
Tom