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Friday, June 30, 2006
Syrah Shiraz
You
say syrah, I say shiraz, mate
Syrah and shiraz are different names for the same grape. While there
are exceptions, Rhone-style syrah usually requires a few years of
cellaring to reach its peak, while the Australian shiraz style is soft
and ready to drink.
Red
for go as sales on the up
And it seems to be red “for go” – in this case Shiraz. I’ve got to
confess that while France has always been my first love I’ve suddenly
developed a taste for this New World plonk even though shiraz is really
syrah whose homeland is the Rhone valley.
Notes
from the Wine Knot
In this category look for Gamay, particularly Beaujolais, Syrah
(shiraz) from anywhere but Australia, Grenache red, and Pinot Noir. In
the medium category again Shiraz and blends of Grenache and Syrah,
Mourvedre, Carignon, Sangiovese, Tinto Uno or Tempranillo, and many of
the newer obscure but developing grape varieties.
Whatever
the name, this wine's no wallflower
Indeed, there is a wine called K Syrah, from the same company that
produces a label called House Wine. Wines from this grape that are
grown in the Rhone region of France, California and the Pacific
Northwest are called syrah, whereas those from the same grape grown in
Australia are called shiraz.
The
Wine List
Cremant de Bourgogne; July 29, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir,
Syrah/Shiraz, and Priorat vs. Class 2: How wine is made, California
wine labels, domestic Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Cab Merlot and
Syrah wines.
Sydney
Morning Herald
For John Duval, only the third person to be entrusted with making
Penfolds Grange shiraz, the answer is easy: keep making wine.
Fittingly, for someone who has started afresh in his career, the
Longshadows syrah is called Sequel.
If
Points Were Years
Cte Rtie was a name mentioned with respect and awe not so many decades
ago, but now drinkers are more interested in Shiraz than Syrah. The
definition of great Syrah is still in the Northern Rhone Valley of
France.
Stone
Cellars Shiraz-Cabernet 2004
Stone Cellars Shiraz-Cabernet 2004 starts with a spicy, slightly
leathery, aroma. This blend is 62% Shiraz and 38% Cabernet Sauvignon,
and manages to be better than the sum of its parts.
Water
Wheel Vineyards, "Memsie" 2004
Water Wheel Vineyards, Memsie, Bendigo, Australia 2004 ($17) -
An interesting blend of 83% Shiraz, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7%
Malbec.
Vina
Robles, "Signature" 2002
Vina Robles, Signature, Paso Robles 2002 ($18) – A blend of 48%
Petit Verdot, 33% Syrah, and 19% Petite Sirah.
Late
Spring 2006 Releases
2003 Penfolds, Cabernet Shiraz, Bin 389, South Australia, $25.
2003 Adelaida, Syrah, Paso Robles, California, $26, 648 cases.
New
Orleans Wine
Blend of Syrah, Cab Sauv, Cab Franc and Petite Sirah. 2004
Jacob's Creek Reserve Shiraz: Think bacon-wrapped-blackberry.
From
pinot to cabernet, grapes to go with grilling
Wine: 2004 Crane Lake Shiraz, California: soft and rich, with
red berry flavors and the sweetness to go with the spice; $5. Wine:
2003 J. Lohr Estates South Ridge Syrah, Paso Robles: Zingy, rich and
spicy, with black plum flavors and the sweetness to match the ribs; $15.
Tasting: McClaren Vale
Shiraz (and Grenache)
Maxwell Wines, Four Roads Shiraz, 2000, $24 (Avg: 6; 4 and 7).
Haiku,
cubed
I tried the 2003 California Cabernet-Shiraz blend, and they've
got a few more types available, including Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio.
Red
Bicyclette Syrah
Their Red Bicyclette line (available at your neighbourhood MLCC
for $15.99 per bottle) comes in three flavours – Chardonnay, Merlot and
Syrah. So in my ongoing quest for a decent French red under $20, I
decided to give the Syrah a shot at glory.
03
Chateau Ollieux-Romanis, Corbieres Cuvee Classique
Its heady, grapey grenache taste and floral syrah aroma make me
think of great 03 Chateauneuf.
Finca
Flichman Syrah Mendoza 2004
Enotheque: Finca Flichman Syrah Mendoza 2004 Enotheque Wine
Reviews I think it’s important to keep in mind that Mendoza’s terroir
dimensions bring forth an entirely new spin on Syrah, decidedly
distinct from the Hermitage and Côte Rôtie wines many have
grown fond of.
The
Little Penguin Shiraz 2005
Our favorite Australian Shiraz, which alas we can rarely get, is
(the much more expensive) Barossa Valley Estate EE Black Pepper Shiraz,
still or sparkling. See the next entry on the Wyndham Estate Bin 555
Shiraz...we tasted it side by side with this one.
Wyndham
Estate Bin 555 Shiraz 2003
Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz 1997
Penfolds St Henri Shiraz
2002
St Henri is one of my very favourite Australian shiraz. If I was to
take one wine overseas and announce this is what South Australian
shiraz is really all about most likely it would be St Henri.
Tasting
Notes for May 13, 2006
Wine 5: 2004 McLean's Farm Shiraz-Cabernet Sauvignon. Alcoholic, hot
aroma, but with plenty of classic Shiraz flavor.
Penfolds
Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz 1997
Lovely medium red, ginger and spice nose - seems to be mainly shiraz,
though there is an undercurrent of herbal leafiness.
Penfolds
Thomas Hyland Shiraz 2003
Richard
Hamilton Gumprs Shiraz 2002
The Richard Hamilton Gumprs Shiraz has slipped under the winetastic
radar until it was highlighted this week as part of Dan Murphys Top 50
promotion. When I see 2002 and McLaren Vale shiraz in the same sentence
I typically get rather excited, especially when the wine is available
for under $15.
Western
Australian Super Shiraz.
"The wine is a shiraz and blends grapes from the five wine producing
areas of the great southern. Labelled 'Five Virtues', the shiraz was
blended in secrecy and placed in a 290-litre bottle to set a Guinness
world record.
Meerea
Park Shiraz Viognier 2004
Shiraz viognier blends are all the rage at the moment, today its the
Meerea Park Shiraz Viognier 2004 from the Hunter Valley, but I also
have my eye on a couple more for the next few weeks. Basically its
hunter shiraz with a little lift, a complex wine with a style that does
not quite suit my palate.
Wynns Coonawarra Shiraz
1997
The Coonawarra mint is still evident along with soft berry/shiraz
flavours.
New
releases. Late May 2006
Torbreck Barossa Valley Woodcutter's Shiraz 2005 . This was totally
different from any other shiraz on the day.
Redman Coonawarra Shiraz
1998
We lost faith with the regions Cabernet for a while but the Shiraz
always seemed to be good. Compared to the Wynns 97 it had gobs more
mint and clean shiraz fruit.
05
Woop Woop, Shiraz
Red Bicyclette SyrahCasillerro del Diablo Shiraz 2004
GNGNB
Ep30: Loxton Winery
Curious to know the difference between a Shiraz and a Sirah?
Maygars Hill Reserve
Shiraz 2004
It has a rich style of shiraz that suggests musk, plums and a hint of
fennel. This is well made warm climate Shiraz from a year that was good
but with vines recovering from the drought.
St Marys 1999 Shiraz
If you like funky shiraz with superb balance and a little age this wine
is for you.
Morrison
Lane Vineyards
Morrison Lane Vineyard has been growing grapes for Walla Walla wineries
since 1994, when Dean and Verdie planted five acres of Syrah, and since
then several local wineries have used the Morrison Lane Vineyard grapes
to make award-winning Syrahs. The vineyard has now grown to 23 acres of
Rhone (to include Syrah, Viognier, and Counoise) and Italian varieties,
as well as Carmenère.
Casillerro del Diablo
Shiraz 2004
Lots of Shiraz starts off this way, give it time and let it breathe up
I thought.
New
Releases at the College Cellars
We also tasted their 2004 Rose of Syrah (a great picnic wine) and a
very unique 2005 "Lemberger Carbonique" - an experiment of carbonic
maceration that came out fruity as can be like a fresh new wine. The
2004 Governor's Blend is a very elegant wine of 27% Syrah, 27% Cabernet
Sauvignon, 27% Cabernet Franc, 10% Merlot and 9% Petite Sirah.
Mount
Langi Ghiran Billi Billi Shiraz 2003
The Mount Langi Ghiran Billi Billi Shiraz is yet another value for
money red highlighted by the current Top 50 promotion at Dan Murphys.
This Shiraz is blood red in colour with aromas of plum, cherry and
chocolate.
Top 100 Vin
De Pays Tasting
For the reds a Cabernet Franc (Carnaval) and a blend of Cabernet and
Syrah (Mas des Bressades) led the pack. The former is a little
expensive at around fifteen quid but worth a punt if you are feeling
generous but both were eclipsed by the superb La Crois Cascaillou that
hit the spot with its blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre.
Placing
Wine Reviewing In Context
The other approach is to place some context on the wine that may or may
not be relevant (e.g Kalleske's Johann Georg Shiraz from the Barossa
Valley comes from a vineyard that once went to Penfold's for Grange.
Woop
Woop Shiraz 2005
Ben Riggs, Winemaker at Penny's Hill, and Tony Parkinson, owner of
same, have released their 5th vintage of Woop Woop Shiraz. Winewaves
recently reviewed Woop Woop's older sibling, Black Chook Shiraz
Viognier 2005.
Lite
(alcohol) Reds
Meanwhile - my hunt for a low alcohol Australian shiraz continues.
FALESCO
LAZIO SYRAH - 2002
This Syrah was fermented in stainless steel tanks and aged for 7 months
in Allier barriques, creating a rich, soft wine. It has a very old
world "terroir" style taste which makes it a unique and interesting
Syrah in a marketplace flooded with California fruit bombs.
Reynell
Basket Press Shiraz 2000
It
Bites
Warning: if you like California merlot or Australian shiraz with cute
animal labels selling for under ten bucks a bottle, avoid this wine at
all costs.
I'm
Not Even Going to Try to Explain Why I Ate the Lizard Egg
The ooh's and ah's started when the cheese plate was served with a 2002
Marquis Philips '9' McLaren Vale Shiraz.
Gemtree
Uncut Shiraz 2004
We came across the Gemtree Uncut Shiraz 2004 at a Dan Murphys tasting
last week, it was the pick of the wines on show and did not disappoint
at home after half a bottle. This is exactly what I look for in McLaren
Vale Shiraz, full bodied, juicy and almost too easy to drink.
Yarra Burn Shiraz
Viognier 2002
A soft wine that has cool climate shiraz and a little apricot lift from
the Viognier.
Fangaroo
Tail Shiraz?
Just imagine the marketing possibilities - Fangaroo Tail Shiraz.