I like Chilean Syrah. Try the 2004 De Martino Legado Reserva Syrah. It is a wonderful bargain.

IW

Drank the second half tonight and this wine held up just as good on the second night as the first. 14.5% Alcohol with zero heat on the nose or in the mouth.


IW,

Thanks for the heads up i will be on the look out for the De Martino Legado Reserva Syrah

The De Martino is really good stuff...

Unfortunately for Viluco, the project is a bit in limbo now...Alvaro Espinoza was working with the winery, but the vineyards were recently bought up by another party...so, to be seen what happens..

Sean,
Here is JM TN:


De Martino
Syrah Choapa Valley Legado Reserva 2004

Juicy and focused, with ripe blackberry and raspberry fruit backed by nice hints of tobacco, tar and violet. Very tasty. Drink now. 3,400 cases made. –JM
Score: 88
Release Price: $15

Country: Chile
Region: Coquimbo

Issue: Dec 15, 2006

IW,

Looks like I will need to be on the look out for that, here is JM's Tn on the de Viluco

"Dark, ripe and rich, with lots of plum sauce, licorice and spice cake flavors. There's also plenty of fresh acidity and floral hints to keep this going through the creamy finish. Drink now through 2008. 900 cases made. –JM (drink by 2008) 90 points

• 2005 Quinta de Viluco Syrah Qv - Chile, Central Valley, Maipo Valley (7/9/2008)
  This is the 4th bottle of the 5 I bought and they all have been a great wine. More reserved then most new world Syrah's yet still very new world. WS says "drink by 2008" but I think this will go for several more years before it starts to go downhill. Dark red/purple color, nose is a bit Earthy and fruity while in the mouth this wine has plenty of dark fruit (cherry, blackberry...) and spice. Medium mouth feel with a great finish that lasts for 30+ seconds. 30 minutes in a decanter does this wine well. 89 - 90 PTS. (90 pts.)

Posted from CellarTracker

Actually, it says "Drink now through 2008", so you have a few more months before it instantly explodes like a Mission: Impossible case file...

But seriously, my drink recs tend to be conservative, particularly for wines with no track record.

They are also meant as a guide for when the wine will stay in a peak window. No, the wine won't start going downhill immediately after 2008, but I doubt the wine will evolve significantly with aging much beyond that.

Development of additional complexity in bottle is much, much different than simply enduring in bottle. Many wines, if well stored, will last a long time but won't necessarily evolve into something that's both different and better...the 40 year drink windows I see bantered about in some quarters for such wines are a little head scratching IMO...

James,

Thanks for the response. While I also don't see this wine getting better over the next few years I do not see it going downhill in two to three years either.

Glad to know about your being conservative on wines with no track record. There is a wine critic over on eBob that gives long drinking windows to new wines and like you it confuses me a bit.

Sean,

I can send you some of the De Martino if you are having trouble locating it. Let me know.

IW

IW,

I am on a wine buying freeze till August if you have some then i will take you up on the offer.

Thanks