Que Syrah Syrah

2002 Nickel & Nickel Syrah
Darien Vineyard, Russian River Valley
$35.99
Jen’s Notes

Deep, red-purple in color; delicious aroma of black cherries. This wine is mouth-filling and substantial with a long finish. Initially, we noted rich, plummy fruit flavors supported by a hint of gravel and firm tannins. The dryness was offset by the lushness of the fruit.

By the second glass, we noticed tobacco and cigar-box spiciness and a touch of cherries at the very end. The flavors were rounder and juicier. Shane suggests that there might also be a very, very slight hint of new oak. While not a particularly complex wine, the flavors are extremely pleasant and concentrated, and it is difficult to imagine anyone making a better single varietal Syrah.