Horseshoe Vineyard Syrah

Wholecluster aromatic is a dead ringer for Gonon Iles Feray. Not as fresh on the palate as desired. Extremely stylish although not with enough delicious character.

We were so fortunate to have Jeff Brinkman, Rhys’ winemaker for the past 15 years, join our tasting of nine Rhys Syrahs from 2003 - 2013. Menthol cedar violet

Also good with Christmas desserts.

Still a little too ripe but starting to calm down. (Fingers crossed.)

Still too plummy.

This is Côte Rotie right? Hermitage? Wait... Santa where??? Good golly Miss Molly!!! Lavender and bacon fat, graphite and iron, meaty goodness.

Third bottle confirmation: Rhys Syrah is somehow too sweet in 2013.

Syrah has been my favorite Rhys varietal but this bottle has too much candied fruit. Anyone else try this yet?

Ripe dark fruit, violet, tobacco, and black pepper. Explosive 🧨

Pop and pour, notes from 4 hrs open. Cork was penetrated about halfway, just like the last btl (this was an auction purchase, so I can't speak to provenance). Wow, a little over 3 years from my last btl. On the nose: cracked blacl pepper, wild strawberry, sweet black raspberry, a touch of va, but cool if that makes sense, and some soft underbrush. On the palate: fantastic acidity, more black pepper, soft creamy bacon fat, blackberry, but slightly thinner than the nose suggests. So light and lively for a syrah. Supple, but serious tannin on the finish, which leans slightly green. Very good.