WTN: a tale of two Cal. Syrahs

Opened the 2012 Zotovich Syrah from Sta. (station) Yah, I know, Rita Hills, Cal. yesterday. Wonderful sweet and sour cherries but much more about beefy meat flavors and nose. I loved it and glad I have 5 more. abv of 13.9%

Tonight I had the second of 6 bottles of the 2014 Tensley Syrah from Santa Barbara Co. Cal. that Jenise seemed to love. Me, not so much. Lots of nice plum fruit and some dustiness and some herbs but the tingley acidity made me want to look for bubbles. I love this kind of acidity in German Rieslings but not in Syrah from anywhere. Maybe if I give it a long decant that acidity will leave, probably not. abv of 14.2%

[Jenise]

Jim, my original note included the words 'exuberant' and 'bright', and it pretty much takes good acidity to get to that place. Which admittedly I love. A long decant won't lose the acidity, but it will give the fruits and other things time to come to the fore. It will also be your best friend if you cellar your remaining bottles for a few years.