Tried these two over the last two days:
1. Ridge Syrah LyttonEstate/Calif (LyttonWest; 88% Syrah/12% Viog; DryCreekVlly; 14.5%; 48 brls; bttld: Nov 2009; Drk: 8/09-8/19: EB) 2007: Very dark/near black color; very strong blackberry/boysenberry/Syrah/blueberry some smokey/Am.oak slight peppery almost LS Zin-like rather complex nose; fairly tart rich/lush/ripe strong Am.oak/Ridge oak/smokey spicy/blackberry/blueberry/Syrah slight earthy structured flavor w/ light hard/firm tannins; very long/lingering lightly tart some Ridge oak/vanilla/smokey strong blackberry/blueberry/Syrah light peppery/earthy finish w/ some hard tannins; needs another 3-8 yrs of age. $28.00 (ATP)
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2. Eric Kent WineCllrs Syrah Kalen'sBigBoy Blend SonomaCnty (15.1%; www.EricKentWines.com) KentHumphrey/SantaRosa
2009: Very dark/near black color; very intense blackberry/Syrah/very spicy/blueberry bit peppery/cold-climate light smokey/oak slight licorice/pungent/Rhonish beautiful nose; bit soft very rich/ripe/lush very spicy/blackberry/Syrah/boysenberry/licorice bit peppery/c-c Syrah light toasty/oak slight Rhonish/green olive/roasted bit chocolaty fairly structured flavor w/ some ripe/hard tannins; very long/lingering bit soft slight tangy/metallic intense blackberry/Syrah/ripe/boysenberry/very spicy light Rhonish/smokey some smokey/toasty/oak bit peppery/cracked black pepper/c-c Syrah very structured finish w/ modest hard/ripe tannins; a beautiful bit c-c Syrah w/ intense fruit; resembles a ripe BennettVlly Syrah somewhat; still needs 2-6 yrs; a beautiful intense/brawny Syrah some like the MacLaren Syrahs. $nc (BS)
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A wee BloodyPulpit:
1. The Ridge was one of the best young Ridge Syrahs I can recall. The often seem like just another Ridge red. This had plenty of strong Syrah varietal character w/ the Ridge oak just suggesting the maker.
I don't recall having an Eric Kent Syrah before, but surely I have at RR or HdR. This btl was gifted to me by a friend. I was mightly impressed by it. They specialize in Chard/Pinot, but they certainly have it dialed in on te Syrah.
Tom
