Pax wines, yes or no?

I don't think these wines are for you. Pax offers a million different wines, and I've only had a few of them. Nonetheless, I think they are more like the wines you claim to dislike than the ones you like.

Why not just buy Rhones? If that's what you like, why are you looking for a facsimile of that in California?

I do buy the Rhones. I also like to try new stuff. I think I answered my own question though. I should probably pick up one bottle and try it. Then decide if I should get a case or not... sorry.

Before someone jumps down my throat, I'm not an Aussie hater! I do enjoy the Amon Ra, and I also enjoy some wines like the El Nido Clio.

I may have posted prematurely... I was just trying to get a little more information before spending $600 on a case. I was able to find a few bottles at a retailer that I buy stuff from. I'll just pick up a bottle from them to try it out.

Try this one.

I'll try that one and the 05 Christine. Thanks!!

Woodchuck - they're big wines. But they're also really well made and not quite as jammy as SOME Australians. Don't forget - Australia makes many different styles.

For my money, the Castelli-Knight Ranch is the best. It has the big fruit that the rest do, but also has the spicy peppery notes that you find in really good Cote Rotie, for example. So it's unique in that it is a little like ripe California crossed with the cool climate Rhone. Just a great wine IMO.

And different from most Cali syrah.

I really enjoy the Griffin's Lair. I have been getting that one based on the recommendation from the winery. I told them that I was looking for one that most closely resembled a Cote Rotie and that is what they recommended. I find that it has a lot of the meaty, smokey flavors that I find in Cote Roties. Good luck.

Pax makes great Cali Rhone style wines and they are not in the Aussie Shiraz style. Pax wines typically have more fragrant aromas and meatier, game-ier and smokey flavors. However, IMHO, I do think they have priced themselves too high for the wines they produce.

Before you buy a case, you should give one a try.

I ended up ordering the 06 Cuvee Christine and Alder Springs from a retailer.

Looks like the only wines available to me from the winery are the Alder Springs and Kobler.

Thanks for your input. Based on what some of you said, this is probably a wine I will enjoy.

quote:

Originally posted by woodchuck:
...this is probably a wine I will enjoy.

in about 3 to 4 years.....

Yeah, I'm getting used to waiting. It seems like 90% of the 250 bottles I have require at least 3-4 years of aging. 50% or more require 10 years of aging! This is an unfortunate downside of being new to wine.

I was looking for something similar, but different than Rhones.

Again, thanks for the responses! This may be what I was looking for.

Just be sure that their grossly oversized bottles will fit into the slots in your cellar!!!! They don't fit in mine without a crowbar.

ha! I've heard people call the war clubs.

If it's something different you sek you should try;

Lucia Susan Vineyard Syrah
Scholium Syrahs
Arnot-Roberts Hudson Syrahs

My limited experience with Pax is that they are big hairy monsters--classic central coast syrah--similar to Alban, and not at all French. I guess I'm a little confused, since you say you like Amon-Ra, but don't like Mitolo (same winemaker). I, for one, like all of the above, but they are all different.