More Bottles Of Syrah

I have lately drunk some nice Syrah´s. And the other day I got to taste some more. Roderick hosted the last tasting in our tasting group and poured these.
All tasted double blind.

1998 Côte-Rôtie, Jamet
Horribly corked!

1998 Hermitage, Gambert de Loche
An open, somewhat mature nose with notes of damson, blueberries, earth and garrigue. Some heat, there is a whiff of Armagnac from time to time. A nice peppery note after a while. Very good.
The taste is warm, mature and dry with notes of dried blueberries, herbs, lingonberries and some smoke. A long, sturdy finish with a high acidity. Should be drunk over the next 5+ years.
87p   (tasted 2016/02)

1998 Côte-Rôtie d´Ampuis, Guigal

The winner for me, this beauty has a still young, smoky nose with notes of meat, exhaust fumes, black cherries, fir and tobacco. A fine depth and concentration. Really fine.
The taste is tight and focused with notes of ripe blueberries, damson, gravel, rubber and warm herbs. The finish is long and structured. Has the stuffing for a long life. Very, very good.
94p   (tasted 2016/02)

1998 Mount Langi Ghiran Shiraz
This Victoria Shiraz shows a spicy, warm nose with notes of warm lingonberries, asphalt, dark chocolate and fried herbs. Very good. A fine warmth. Some maturity.
The taste is big and warm with notes of a mix of red berries, scorched earth, dark chocolate and herbs. A long finish that ends with a (just a touch) fiery note. Very, very good.
90p   (tasted 2016/02)

1998 Fox Creek Reserve Shiraz
This perennial favourite of mine (tasted twice in 2013) was a really good drink, but it didn´t reach the height of previous bottles. The fruit is deep and sweet with lovely notes of tobacco, black cherries, Christmas spices and wood smoke. A fine warm, dusty note.
The taste is big and expressive with notes of aged meat, crushed black pepper and a touch of mint. The finish is long and mouth filling. A very fine warmth. Really good.
93p   (tasted 2016/02)

1998 The Armagh
A big, upfront, tight nose with notes of blackberries, dark undergrowth, red liquorice, asphalt and glue - there is lots of things going on here. Very, very deep. A touch sweet.
The taste is big and powerful with lots of warmth and notes of sweet black cherries, forest fire, asphalt and bakelite. Lots off power and structure. Still on the young side of things. Lots of violets in the long, long finish. Should be even better in 5+ years time.
93p   (tasted 2016/02)