Had these two last night at dinner:
1. Forlorn-Hope Dragone Ramato PinotGris RorickVnyd/CalaverasCnty (11%; 187 cs) Murphys 2016: Light red/dark rose color; fairly strong resiny/phenolic/ViniMacerati rather floral/rose petal/PG/spicy slight cedary/pencily slight earthy quite fragrant lovely nose; quite tart/tangy lovely floral/rose petal/PG/spicy light phenolic/VM/resiny slight earthy/dusty bit complex flavor w/ light tannic bite; very long rather floral/rose petal/PG/spicy light phenolic/resiny rather floral/perfumed rather savory finish w/ light tannic bite; a really lovely expression of PG Ramato & great alternative to a rose.
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2. WindGap Syrah SonomaCoast (390 cs; 12.1%; www.WindGapWines.com; #4211) PaxMahle/Forestville 2008: Very dark color w/ light bricking; very strong Rhonish/whole-cluster/smokey/graphite/ozone/WWII beacon strong cold-climate/black pepper/blackberry/Syrah/blueberre slight black olive slight smokey/oak quite complex nose; very tart/teeth-chattering/lean/austere very strong Rhonish/w-c/smokey/graphite/ozone/pungent strong blackberry/blueberry/Syrah bit smokey/oak rather complex flavor w/ ample rugged/chewey tannins; very long/lingering rather acidic/screechy intense Rhonish/w-c/peppery/smokey/roasted/graphite/ozone strong black pepper/c-c/blackberry/Syrah quite savory very complex finish w/ lots of chewey tannins; a huge amount of Rhonish character but pretty screechy/brutal on the palate; probably needs more to temper the acids & tannins but not sure it will ever be pleasurable to drink.
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A wee BloodyPulpit:
1. Dragone: Upon release, this was a pretty austere wine dominated by the phenolic/VM character. It has really evolved nicely w/ the PG fruit coming to the forefront and the phenolic/VM character taking a back seat.
Tom