Tried these two older Holdredge Syrahs last weekend:
1. Holdredge Syrah RRV (14.5%) John & Carri Holdredge 2006: Dark color w/ some bricking; strong Syrah/blackberry/spicy/slight peppery some pencilly/oak slight dusty/earthy bit loamy/mushroomy some cedary/oldRed some complex nose; soft bit tangy/metallic/aged/cedary/oldRed some blackberry/Syrah/lightly spicy some pencilly/oak bit tired flavor w/ light tired/tangy tannins; long rather tangy/metallic/tired bit spicy/blackberry/Syrah/bit peppery some cedary/pencilly/oldRed bit complex finish w/ light tangy tanninsd; a rather interesting pencilly/spicy Syrah that still has some fruit but showing its age on the palate w/ some tangy/metallic character; on its way out the door.
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2. Holdredge Syrah LoversLaneVnyd/RRV (14.8%) 2006: Dark color w/ slight bricking; much stronger blackberry/Syrah/quite spicy fairly peppery/c-c some pencilly/oak lovely complex mature Syrah nose; soft slight tangy/metallic/agedRed some spicy/blackberry/Syrah light toasty/pencilly/oak some blackberry/Syrah light toasty/pencilly/oak bit complex flavor w/ light tangy tannins; very long/lingering some blackberry/peppery/Syrah/very spicy slight tangy/metallic finish w/ light tannins; much more spicy/peppery Syrah fruit on the nose but also showing some age on the palate; not as far along as the first one & still offers up pleasure.
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A wee BloodyPulpit:
1. John & Carri Holdredge are PinotNoir specialists in Healdsburg. What got me interested in their wines was their Schioppettino, the first one made in Calif. In 2004. Alas, their current 2016, under their Oscura label, is their last vintage, their swan song w/ Schioppettino. Too bad, cause a really liked that wine. Their multiple vnyd-designate Pinots I also like a lot, but don't make an effort to follow them. Doesn't look like he makes Syrah any more, either.
I miss John popping into WB from time to time like he used to. Always had something funny to add to discussions.
Tom