WTN: Fall Flavors: 01 ESJ Bassetti Syrah

Edmunds St. John 2001 San Luis Obispo County Syrah, Bassetti Vineyard.

Cellared since release. I think I bought three of these, maybe four; I can remember only one bottle, which I opened perhaps a decade past the vintage, when it was very tannic and tight, so I buried the others deep. Last night, Andrea said she wanted Syrah to go with simply seared pork chops with garlicky stewed potatoes with kale and turnip greens, and this called to me. Glad I listened, because this bottle was beautiful. Stood upright for about six hours and then decanted gently. A little light at the rim but opaque in the center, and the color is fresh and intense. Bright but deep blue and black fruit, with seemingly bottomless savory depths of fatty bacon and tar. Silky and elegant (and becomes more and more so over 3 hours), but also as muscular a wine as I can remember from ESJ. Every sip makes you notice how good it is. I have one more, and am not inclined to hurry.

Edmunds St. John 2001 San Luis Obispo County Syrah, Bassetti Vineyard.
...I have one more, and am not inclined to hurry.

Indeed. Especially because there's no more coming in the future!

The real conundrum is how to handle the few 95s and 96s I have left from the library sale, which might well need to be consumed sooner rather than later….

If 95 Durell I think you can hold without worry.
'95 Cotes Sauvage was mature but quite good 3 years ago. I wouldn't rush, but not sure it would be a candidate for 2035.
Don't think I have any '01 Bassetti left, couple bottles I think of '03 and '05. Generally reserve those for the Basset-ti hounds birthday party.

Yup, 1 each of 95, 96, and 99 Durell, plus 94 Zin, 96 Brandlin Ranch Zin, a 97 Rocks & Gravel, and a 99 Sangiovese. I have some stuff from 2000- forward too but those are wines I know and so I have a better sense of them. Afraid I may have held some Rocks and Gravels too long, but I bet they’ll still be hanging on.

[David M. Bueker]

All my 2001 Bassetti is gone. Still have some W-F though. Maybe dig one out later this fall.

Love a good ESJ thread. Which reminds me, I have 2-3 of the 05 Wylie-Fenaughty Syrah — time to stand one of these up?

Love a good ESJ thread. Which reminds me, I have 2-3 of the 05 Wylie-Fenaughty Syrah — time to stand one of these up?

Unless your cellar is arctic, I'd say yes. For the last 2-3 years these have been drinking really well (David B seems to agree, too).

Thanks, Mark, I have a couple of those too and will be sure to pull one soon.