Our small wine group got together this past Saturday. No theme for the evening, though we did end up with three Syrah. Wines were tasted non-blind in the order listed and then drank during a dinner of pork roast. I thought the Syrahs were interesting in that they gave a glimpse at the wide spectrum of new world Syrah.

2006 Sbragia Home Ranch Chardonnay
I'd been wanting to try a Sbragia wine, but the desire extended to their Cabernets that I've heard good things about rather than their Chardonnay. But it was the Chardonnay this evening and it was a nice wine. Pale yellow in color. I wasn't getting a lot on the nose, mostly lemon curd and some oak. Creamy texture to it with apple flavors and a trace of oak. The host declared before pouring this that it wouldn't be my type of wine -- knowing that I don't like oaky California Chards. I don't mind the oak characteristics, I just don't like when they smell and especially taste of actual oak. This wine was within my acceptable range in those areas and I enjoyed it. 86 pts

2004 Dierberg Santa Maria Pinot Noir
Based upon what I had read about Dierberg Pinot Noir in the past, I was expecting this to be a poster child for what I don't like in a California Pinot Noir. But I didn't find that the case at all (at least later in the evening). Ruby in color with a clear rim. Red and black cherry on the nose with a trace of cotton candy. The nose also showed a hint of alcohol. Same fruit profile on the palatte. Still tannins present and a bit of a candied finish. The wine seemed a bit out of balance but it wasn't as overblown as I had expected. Initially, I rated this 85 points, but throughout the evening the heat blew off and the wine gained better balance. I'd say this is unmistakeably a Calif. Pinot, but it finished up the evening as a pretty nice Calif. Pinot. 88 pts

2003 Cadence Klipsun Vyd Red Mountain Red
This is primarily a merlot blend I believe. Ruby/garnet in color. Aromas of cherry and a trace of caramel. Big cherry flavors with a touch of blueberry. Good acidity but some big, drying tannins initially. A very nice, well-balanced wine that for me just lacked a bit of something. I enjoyed it, but others liked it better I believe. 89 pts

1998 Chateau Haut-Bages Averous Pauillac
Garnet in color. Nose of cherry with a bit of tar. Upon tasting the first thing I wrote down was watery. Flavors of cherry and berry. Someone tasted raw celery on the finish. This was another wine that got appreciably better with time. Initially I rated this 82 pts. As the night wore on, this began to come to life with some nice cherry flavors and a bit of leather. Based upon notes on CT, I think this was an off bottle or more likely I should have opened this in the morning or at least by noon. At the end of the night this had improved quite a bit and I wonder if it had even more time what would have happened. 86 pts

2001 Isenhower Wild Alfalfa Syrah
Medium garnet in color with ruby colored rim. Nose of black cherry and some blueberry. Black cherry flavors with a touch of cranberry and spices to give it some character. Tannins fully integrated. Drinking really well and I'd say drink up if you have any. 90 pts

2002 T-Vine Frediani Vyd Syrah
I've had a few bottles of T-Vine (Syrah and Zinfandel) over the last few years courtesy of our host. I've always found them to be big, flavorful wines that sometimes can be a bit out of balance. This wine started out that way, but, to continue the theme of the evening, it improved throughout the night. Medium to dark garnet in color but a bit dull. Nose of blueberries, earth and a bit of black olive. Big dark fruit flavors with a trace of caramel and some heat. Finish was a bit candied, but not bad at all. Again, over the course of the evening the heat blew off this wine and it was drinking really well. As flavorful as T-Vine wines can be young, I think I liked what age has done for this wine. 91 pts

2003 Luca Altos de Mendoza Syrah
This was the other bottle that I brought. First of all, this had the most gorgeous color to it of deep garnet, purple, red...you name it. When I swirled this in my glass it was like a piece of art. Nose of blackberry, cranberry and a trace of pepper. Dark fruit flavors with a mineraliness that I equate with Cote Rotie. This is the only vintage I've had of this wine (second bottle), but it is wonderful Syrah. Be forewarned though that it comes in a honking big, heavy bottle. 92 pts

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