Fine Wine > Still > 95-99 Pts > Syrah/Shiraz

Cellar/Tasting Notes
" Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2009 Entity Shiraz displays vibrant aromas of warm cassis, crushed blackberries and black cherries over a spicy undercurrent of nutmeg, cloves, vanilla and anise. Full bodied and rich in the mouth, it is nicely poised with a medium level of very finely grained..

Cellar/Tasting Notes
"A prodigious Cornas possessing all the pepper, smoked game, blackberry, cassis, burning ember and scorched earth characteristics one could desire. This rich, full-bodied 2009 should be a singular Cornas to drink over the next 15+ years."

Cellar/Tasting Notes
"The 2010 Hermitage is clearly the biggest, richest and most ageworthy wine of this trio. It boasts a dense purple color along with notes of creme de cassis, smoked herbs, licorice and graphite. Full-bodied with outstanding depth, purity, power and overall equilibrium as well as beautifully pure..

Cellar/Tasting Notes
"One of the top wines in this portfolio is the 2009 Hermitage Marquise de la Tourette. Aged in 50% new oak, it exhibits abundant aromas of creme de cassis as well as hints of acacia flowers, crushed rocks and graphite along with massive concentration, full body, a dense style, a boatload of tannin..

Cellar/Tasting Notes
"Bright purple. Captivating bouquet combines blackberry and blueberry liqueur, mocha, bitter chocolate and pipe tobacco, plus an exotic suggestion of incense. Compellingly rich and expansive, with vibrant black and blue fruit flavors and a strong floral quality. The smoky, spicy, very long..

Cellar/Tasting Notes
"The vintage was an excellent one... All of the 2006s fell within their predicted ranges (mostly near the high end) so I will keep my comments brief. Clarendon Hills 2006 Syrahs are superb. They appear to be less structured and more forward than the 2005s and will be more approachable early on..."

Cellar/Tasting Notes
"Very dense, with espresso, maduro tobacco and a strong tarry edge leading the way for now, while a core of plum cake, hoisin sauce and steeped black currant broods in the background. The dense, ganache-filled finish demands cellaring. This is just a half step behind the La La bottlings now. Very..

Cellar/Tasting Notes
"The most prodigious wine I have yet tasted from the Delas portfolio is the brilliant 2009 Hermitage Les Bessards. Its inky/purple color is followed by abundant notes of acacia flowers, blackberries, black currants, new saddle leather, roasted meats and graphite, amazing concentration, a..

Cellar/Tasting Notes
"The flagship of Clarendon Hills is the 2006 Syrah Astralis Vineyard. It is holding more in reserve but when it has fully blossomed in another 10-15 years my score may appear conservative."

Cellar/Tasting Notes
The 1989 La Chapelle is phenomenal. The opaque black/ruby color and the huge bouquet of coffee, hickory wood, jammy cassis, minerals, and spices are the stuff of legends. In the mouth the wine is massive, with layer upon layer of unctuous, highly extracted, and superripe fruit. The finish offers an..