Reserve Syrah Tasting

Last week the Edna Valley Vineyard winemaking team held a blind tasting of "high scoring" Syrahs (all 2005 vintage) from around the world. We included our Reserve Syrah to determine how it matched against the formidable competition. The following wines were tasted:

Matetic "EQ" San Antonio, Chile $27.00: 91 (WS) 90 (RP) 90 (ST)
Montes Folly Chile $70.00: 94 (WS) 92 (ST)
Alban Vineyards Reva Edna Valley $88.00: 94 (WS)
D'Arenberg The Dead Arm McLaren Vale, Australia $55.00: 95 (RP)
Edna Valley Vineyard Reserve Syrah $45.00 (no scores yet)
Schild Estate Shiraz Barossa Valley, South Australia $24.00: 93 (WS)
Lagier Meredith Mount Veeder, Napa Valley $55.00: 95 (RP) 92 (WS)

Our Syrah placed 4th out of 7, not bad considering we constantly get "ripped on" by the big magazines with scores in the mid to high 80's.

The group favorites were the Alban at 1st place and the Montes at 2nd. Both huge wines with very expressive extra-ripe fruit components. Both also showed a multitude of minor flaws, barely at threshold, adding complexity and depth.

Also worthy of note: the Montes had... by far... the coolest packaging I have ever seen. Huge thick bottle with a very deep wide punt (yes punt), and the coolest label ever artist Ralph Steadman.... awesome (see below for 2003 version)!