We had these two EdmundsStJohn last night at our Pig+Fig tasting:
1. EdmundsStJohn Syrah MorthCanyonRd/ElDorado (12.9%; 69% FenaughtyVnyd/31% BarsottiVnyd) ThumbnailMoonlight/FairPlay 2013: Med.color w/ slight bricking; lovely blackberry/Syrah/spicy some pencilly/oak quite Rhonish/roasted/espresso quite complex fragrant nose; slightly tart some Rhonish/roasted fairly blackberry/Syrah/spicy light pencilly/oak fairly complex flavor w/ light smooth tannins; very long/lingering Rhonish finish that tracks flavor; loads of complex Rhonish character; has lost a bit of intensity so probably a bit beyond its peak, but very pleasurable drinking.
__________________
2. EdmundsStJohn Syrah FenaughtyVnyd/ElDorado (13.1%) 2011: Med.color w/ some bricking; slightly musty/funky/earthy some Rhonish/roasted/smokey light blackberry/Syrah bit earthy/mushroomy rather complex bit aged nose; lightly tart bit metallic light musty/Rhonish/roasted slight earthy/mushroomy/Syrah/blackberry bit pencilly somewhat tired flavor w/ light smooth tannis; med.long finish that mimics flavor; shows more earthy/mushroomy/ElD character than the '13 and not nearly the fruit
__________________________________________
More edfirkquirk from TheBloodyPulpit:
1. Although JohnMacCready/SierraVista and JonathanLachs/Cedarville were first with Syrah in ElDorado, SteveEdmunds played a very instrumental role in the success of Syrah in ElDorado. He persuaded (that silver-tongued devil that is Steve) RonMansfield/Goldbud Farms to plant Syrah at Fenaughty & Barsotti vnyds, vnyds that Ron farmed, and were at a higher altitude. I think Steve made some of the best Syrahs to come out of ElDorado.
Alas, Steve has now retired from winemaking, so we won't have him to kick around anymore. But it was fun while it lasted.
Tom