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2001 Ventana Vineyards Syrah
Ventana Vineyards is one of the very few locations where the old-world pre-phylloxera vinifera grapevine thrives. They have learned over a number of years that they must match certain varieties to certain soil characteristics. The Syrah clone known as Chapoutier or Estrella (depending on the grower and which nursery they obtained it from) produces a very small berry in the Ventana terroir, and therefore the skin-to-juice ratio is higher resulting in wines that have more depth and saturated color. We used eight different French oak Burgundy style barrels (70% new) with medium plus to heavy toast during the aging process to complement one of the most seductive wines we produce.
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| Varietals: |
100% Syrah |
| Appellation: |
Monterey |
| Alcohol: |
14.1% |
| Comments: |
Opaque purple in color with aromas of roasted herbs, smoked game, blackberries, cassis, black pepper, lavender and violets. A bit of the Northern Rhône with a twist of California and a little touch of JC Cellars, this elegant wine is perfect with braised meats, smoked game and triple cream cheeses.
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| Reviews: |
James Laube, Wine Spectator Weekly Internet Only
91 points
Dark and plush, filling out the palate with rich plum, blackberry,
chocolate and white peper, beef and leather notes that are intense,
concentrated and long on the finish. Drink now through 2009.
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Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wine: 2 puffs,
91 points (scale 0-3 puffs, 1-100 points)
Sweet oak perfumes overlie a wealth of juicy blackberry fruit in the
ripe and lightly peppery nose of this full-scaled young Syrah, and that
same fruit is the confident centerpiece of the wine's broad and very well
filled flavors. Fairly fat and fleshy with certain palatal plumpness,
it is relatively tame in tannins and finishes with a lengthy aftertaste
of berries and very sweet oak. So rich as to tempt near term drinking,
it will age by dint of balance rather than brawn and should only get
better for a half dozen years.
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