2012 Central Coast Syrah "Le Pousseur", Bonny Doon
This was on the "last chance" discount shelf at the New Hampshire State Liquor Store and I grabbed the last four bottles. I haven't often found a California syrah with the classic Northern Rhone smoky nuances, but this one has them. Tasted blind I'd have guessed it was a St. Joseph. Maybe it's because it's made from the syrah clone that Randall Grahm smuggled in from Hermitage. Whatever the reason, Grahm really nailed it here. The flavors follow the aromas, but the wine definitely has Grahm's stylistic fingerprints on it--grace and finesse rather than force. A delight to drink now and should hold for several years. Double Larry.
-Paul W.