2005 McManis Family Vineyards
California Syrah
Score: 87.0
Dense and jammy, full bodied and velvety smooth, this flavorful wine points to plums, toasted oak and bittersweet chocolate. The soft tannins make this wine perfect for current drinking.
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2004 Les Jamelles
Vin de Pay d'Oc Syrah
Score: 97.0
Greatness is not conferred by reputation, but earned by achievement. Winemaker Catherine Delaunay's Syrah has no lineage, no reputation, no pretense. But she has made a great wine. Its humility comes with a lowly price, so you can experience a great wine at a give-away price of just nine dollars. This is an old-world-style wine in the best tradition - restrained, balanced, supple and complex. The nose brings to mind strawberry blossoms, raspberries, blackberries, a touch of mint and black pepper. The aromas follow through to the perfectly balanced palate, with the addition of milk chocolate and mineral notes. It's silky and the finish is unbelievably long. You can pay ten times the price for an inferior wine, or you can closely study this wine for what makes a wine truly great. Buy a case.
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1999 Stags Leap Winery
Napa Valley Syrah
Score: 88.0
"Formidable. One sniff lets you know this is serious stuff: Medium-bodied, with light tannin, bright plummy fruit, subtle oak, fine balance and excellent length, this is a wine that you can enjoy now (try it with veal or salmon), or lay it away for another 3 to 5 years. "
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1997 R.H. Phillips Toasted Head
California Cabernet Sauvignon - Syrah
Score: 88.0
"Aromatic chocolate covered cherries, medium tannin, cedar, and a tart, fruit and mineral finish of exceptional length."
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1998 Meridian Vineyards
Paso Robles Syrah
Score: 87.0
"Paso Robles has become one of the top appellations for Syrah. This one will remind many of Meridians Pinot Noir, but a little more extracted. It has lush plum and berry fruit with a background earthiness, moderate tannin, and firm structure. A good match for beef stew, spaghetti, and grilled steak."
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1998 Wyndham Estate Bin 555
South Eastern Australia Shiraz
Score: 86.0
"Crab apple, plum and oak spice, and a hint of herb (oregano, perhaps), light tannin and decent length. Good value."
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1997 Seven Peaks
Central Coast Cabernet 69% Shiraz 31%
Score: 90.0
"Rich blackberry and aromatic dried marjorum, full bodied, moderate tannin. A supple with dark berry fruit and superb balance. A winery to watch."
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1998 Beringer Vineyards Founders Estate
California Shiraz
Score: 84.0
"Velvety smooth, juicy, ripe black plum character, just a hint of cocoa, medium-bodied, with very soft tannin. Totally accessible right now. Good spaghetti wine."
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1999 Heritage Road Reserve
Old Mundalla Vineyard Limestone Coast Australia Shiraz
Score: 84.0
"Plum, pepper, salt, soft tannin, and full body, with a tart finish. "
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1997 Geyser Peak
Sonoma County Shiraz Reserve
Score: 88.0
"Big prune, pepper, tobacco leaf and nutmeg aromas that follow through to the palate with moderate tannin and classical structure. Pair with beef, lamb and tomato sauces."
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1998 Geyser Peak
Sonoma County Shiraz
Score: 89.0
"Dry, aromatic berry and vanilla, supple on the palate with the addition of a light green olive note, and well-integrated tannin."
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1998 Seven Peaks
Paso Robles Shiraz
Score: 90.0
"Ripe, peppery, plummy fruit on the nose, spicy on the mid-palate, with a fruity and spice finish of good length. Intense, powerful and full-bodied, this is one of the best Syrahs (Shirazs) in California. When I tasted this blind, I was sure it was from Australia. "
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1997 Penfolds RWT
Barossa Valley Australia Shiraz
Score: 92.0
"A great Shiraz from the get-go. The nose is expansive and deep, with layers of subtle complexity: plums, leather, perfectly integrated oak, and best of all, its all in balance. A great wine now, it will only improve over the next decade. "
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1999 McPherson
South Eastern Australia Shiraz
Score: 86.0
"Raspberry-cherry fruit laced with black pepper notes in the nose, while on the palate it has dry, cherry pie fruit, light tannin and excellent balance. Fine value."
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1999 McPherson
South Eastern Australia Shiraz Cabernet
Score: 87.0
"The Shiraz holds the dominant position here, sweet, deep cherry pie fruit on the nose; dry cherry pie fruit on the palate, firm structure, well integrated tanin, silky texture and a moderately fruity finish. Good value."
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