Some Syrah´s Of Late

Still snow on the ground in Sweden, still Minus Celsius, still making some hearthy stews. And what to open to go with that kind of food? Syrah of course! These were tasted during the last couple of weeks, and interesting enough, from five different countries.

1997 Saint-Joseph Parcelle de Jean, J. Boutin
A high strung, fine nose with notes of cool blackberries with some raspberries tucked in, bakelite, crushed gravel and cigarette ashes. Some fermented notes, in a fine way. Very good.
The taste is tight and firm with lots of cool red and black fruits with additional notes of leather, eraser, violets and tobacco. A medium long finish with hig acidity and a dry finish. Needs food.
87p   (tasted 2016/02)

2012 Syrah, Stefano Amerighi
This Italian Syrah offers up a young, cool nose with notes of ripening blueberries, undergrowth, rubber and some bonfire. A fine earthy note. Fresh and with a lovely herbal aroma.
The taste is tight and seedy with notes of gravel, blueberries, violets and liquorice. A fine, elegant smokiness to it. Cool and fine. Very young still, give this 3-5 years.
91p   (tasted 2016/02)

2010 Red Mountain Bell´Villa Vineyard Syrah, Goedhart Family
Since Erik tipped me about this wine I have had a hard time keeping the corks in the bottles I bought, but then agian, why should I? Tasted many times before but this note is as good as any. Great stuff!
91p   (tasted 2016/01)

2012 Schist Syrah, Mullineaux
A finely tuned, pure and concentrated nose with notes of lightly peppered blueberries, crushed rocks, bay leaves, violets and bonfire smoke. Very deep and refined. Given this blind I would definitely guessed a high class Côte-Rôtie. Very, very good.
The taste is tight and concentrated with notes of damson, blueberries, ginger bread cookies, veal meat and lots of minerals. The finish is long and structured with polished tannins. A class act. Still very young, give this beauty 5+ years. Best on day one, it went into a dormant stage on day two.
94p   (tasted 2016/02)

2012 The Freedom 1843 Shiraz, Langmeil
Oooh boy! This is a stunner, especially on day two, then it developed into a truly great Shiraz. The nose is deep, smoky and focused with notes of a blueberry and raspberry mix with additional notes of fried herbs, dark chocolate, warm rocks, dried flowers and wood smoke. A great depth and concentration without ever being heavy. Great wine. Day two it has become even more focused and magnificent.
The taste is big, tight and intense with notes of dark violets, ripe blueberries, undergrowth, veal stock and a touch of mint. The finish goes on for minutes with some hefty tannins buried deep into the amazing fruit. This is truly fine, given this blind I would have opted for a SQN... (but not Papa!) From a 169 year old vineyard, one of the oldest in Barossa.
97p   (tasted 2016/02)