I have to say, I am really appreciating this book as a way to structure tastings that help us learn about the grapes. We now completed the two Syrah/Shiraz tastings. Big surprises!
First tasting evening:
2017 d’Arenberg “The Stump Jump” Shiraz McLaren Vale South Australia. $9.99
Not good! Had an abrasive, chemical-like flavor. We both recoiled upon tasting – and after the end of the evening, ended up pouring down the drain. Usually we would use leftover wine in cooking, but there was something almost like ammonia in this wine that would not have been palatable in cooking.
Derek Rohlffs Unti Vineyard Dry Creek Valley Syrah 2018 ($17.99)
This wine was from Naked wines (where we order occasionally) and it was a huge step up from the first one, so we initially were relieved. However, it was not super-refined, maybe I am picking up on chunky tannins? It had pronounced fruit. Became more lively with food.
2016 Tenet “The Pundit” Columbia Valley Syrah. $17.95
This one was so completely different than the other two that we both were intrigued & enjoyed it. I think it benefited from the fact that the other two wines were somewhat disappointing – it was extremely dark & black fruit flavored – but not very fruity. Super masculine and smoky.
→ I had gone into the first evening expecting to really gravitate toward the sunnier riper style (CA and Australia) and was really turned upside down by this experience! I definitely did not expect to prefer the Washington.
Second tasting evening:
2017 Domaine Courbis “Champelrose” Cornas. $39.99
Wow!! This wine was so much better than I expected. Again, I came into the tasting thinking I would not like French wines, that I would prefer sweeter or fruitier. This one was highly fruity but not at all sweet. Drinking alone this was a little disorienting – I had thought fruitiness and sweetness went together. But, with food, this wine was incredible. I had this with dinner two nights in a row and it was perfectly balanced, delicious flavor.
Went with this one for the Australian comparison: 2018 John Duval “Entity” Shiraz Barossa Valley South Australia. $29.99.
I went into this tasting convinced I would love this wine. And, it was perfectly fine, but for me it didn’t hold a candle to the Cornas. My husband really gravitated to this one, however – he thought it was delicious on its own and with food.
→ Again, a night of surprises! But one that ended more deliciously than the last one. Really wishing I had more disposable income to be able to drink the French Syrahs more regularly & to branch out. But at $40 for the bottle, we’re really going to be limited in branching out. Maybe every few months?