We had these three WindGap Syrahs in our Syrah tasting the other week:
1. WindGap Syrah NellessenVnyd/SonomaCoast (10 brls/231 cs; #0116; 11.9%) 2013: Med.dark color w/ some bricking; strong c-c/black pepper/Syrah strong w-c/Rhonish/peppery/smoked meats light blackberry/floral/Syrah/spicy light pencilly/oak quite complex nose; quite tart/tangy strong c-c/Syrah/peppery strong w-c/Rhonish/smoked meats some blackberry/spicy/Syrah quite complex flavor w/ light bit tangy tannins; very long/lingering strong c-c/black pepper/w-c/Rhonish/peppery bit pencilly/oak some Syrah/spicy/blackberry complex finish w/ light tangy tannins; a very Rhonish fully mature Syrah probably as good as it will get. $40.00
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2. WindGap Syrah MajikVnyd/SonomaCoast (11.4%; 3 brls/76 cs; #0473) 2013: Dark color w/ some bricking; somewhat less c-c/w-c more floral/blackberry/Syrah bit simpler light pencilly/oak complex nose; bit softer/richer strong blackberry/Syrah/spicy more toasty/oak less Rhone & more Calif in style Syrah w/ modest anguler tannins; probably right about its peak. $45.00
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3. WindGap Syrah ArmaghVnyd/SonomaCoast (12.9%; 6 brls/151 cs; #1837) 2013: Dark color w/ slight bricking; more richer strong blackberry/Syrah/spicy less w-c/Rhonish light toasty/oak rather complex nose; bit softer/richer/riper strong blackberry/Syrah/quite spicy more Calif in style fully mature flavor w/ light smooth/ripe tannins; still some Rhonish character but much more Calif Syrah in style; my favorite of the three. $48.00
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A wee BloodyPulpit:
1. These are, I believe, all three from the PetalumaCoast AVA, afore it was anointed. All three of these were very much similar in character, fully mature, and probably near their peak. The w-c/Rhonish character was very strong in all three w/ a low-key c-c/black pepper character. Two of these were fairly low in alcohol, yet both showed plenty of flavor. The riper Armagh was my slight favorite of these Syrahs. All three lovely, very Rhonish expressions of Calif Syrah.
Tom