If you love big Syrah, you should have these six.

LUCIA Syrah "Garys' Vineyard"
Santa Lucia Highlands 2007
and
LUCIA Syrah "Susan's Hill"
Both Santa Lucia Highlands, both are $40 net
Owned, grown and made by the Pisoni family, these are two well reviewed wines by Robert Parker (mid 90s for both). They arrived last week, and tasting right now, as I compose.
Garys': smoky, toasty oak dominates the concentrated but shy fruit on the nose. In the mouth it's lush and decadent. More toasty oak, blueberry pie, black pepper and bacon. Needs a year...I speak from having the 2006 Garys' recently and it was delish. This wine will be at least as good.
Susan's Hill: This, in fact, is "Pisoni Vineyard." Susan's Hill is a block of Pisoni, at the top of this gently sloped vineyard, where it's windiest and most exposed to the elements. First impression, again, is beaucoup oak, with more black pepper, mint and dark chocolate mixed in there. Rich fruit, healthy acidity, and toasty oak flavor & finish. This, too, needs time. More time, I think, than the Garys'...the acidity makes me think it'll blossom a little later.
*These two Lucia Syrahs only discount in our mixed case below. Otherwise, they are net-priced (i.e. the price is the price: $40). 

OBERSCHULTE Syrah "Monte Rosso Vineyard"  Sonoma Valley 2006 $39
Last spring, owner/winemaker Mark Oberschulte poured this Syrah for me, and it wasn't ready. Tight, clumsy, and not yet delicious. He poured it again for me last month, and now it IS ready! Bright fruit, rich, complex and now, at last, delicious! I'm pleased to recommend it to you now. This famous Sonoma Valley hillside vineyard is best known for Cabernet Sauvignon, but I think Syrah is the best grape for the vineyard. The wine: roasted, dark berry/cherry, black pepper, kalamata olive, light smoke, intense, robust & strong! With just 276 cases made, not to be found outside of California.

McPRICE MYERS "Beautiful Earth"
Paso Robles 2007  $37
At 70%, not technically a Syrah, but close enough for non-government work. Featured two weeks' ago in this email, I suggest you try it again as I was able to get a little bit more.
This BIG RED is a blend of 70% Syrah, 24% Grenache, 6% Mourvedre.
All Paso Robles fruit. Rich, robust and spicy...just how (many of) you like them! Black fruits with plenty of jam & liqueur notes. Christmas spices & black licorice. Very warming (boasts almost 16% alcohol & holds it well). Customer feedback has been all A's so far. Buy, enjoy, and give a grade.

RUDIUS Syrah Russian River Valley 2006 $36
We're pleased, and a little lucky, to be on the inside with this great, new winery. Jeff Ames, a young man who came from Alabama, is making wines of character and power in Napa, Sonoma and Mendocino counties. His latest, this cool-climate Syrah, is exotic, spicy, lush, and wonderfully "Rhone Style." Black olive, violets, blueberries, Bing cherry, cracked black pepper, lavender,  and blueberry flavors burst in your mouth! On the "chewy" side with tannins that soften with air. Haven't had the pleasure, but I guarantee it's excellent with grilled lamb chops!


Sand T Syrah
"Brookside Vineyard"
Napa Valley 2005 $29
I like this wine a lot. Besides it being just really good, it's drinking perfect right now (note it's 2005, another year of bottle time under its belt). This is Mom & Pop Napa wine at its finest! "Brookside" lies at the NW corner of Napa-town, next to "Hendry Vineyard," for whom Susan, the S in SandT, is national sales manager. It's delicious with subtle Rhone-like qualities. Loads of blueberry, black cherry, cocoa, roast beef, & black licorice. Enjoy now through 2012.
A scant 200 cases made.

Speaking of Purple Rain (see today's intro), you know it was 25 years ago when the album & movie came out? Rang my bell of how time races by. I was in high school for goodness sake. Dan Lee, my colleague here, wasn't born yet. Sheesh. I know I know,  many of you might reply with "25 years? That's nothing!" I was born the year of
The Beatles last concert. You might have been at Candlestick Park that historic night. And on we go.

Back Room Wines

Corner of First & Main Streets (First Street Entrance)

Downtown Napa, California 94559

Phone: (707) 226-1378  Toll Free # is 877-322-2576