Tasting Room
Syrah/ShirazWINE OF THE WEEK
Geyser Peak
2002 Sonoma County - Shiraz ($18)
An earthy, gamy shiraz, with a great core of high-toned fruit. Aromas and flavors of blueberry, blackberry, toasty oak and spice. Integrated tannins.
2004 Grist Vineyard , Dry Creek Valley - Syrah ($30)
An elegant syrah, with zinfandel-like jammy fruit. Notes of cherry, raspberry, blueberry and pepper. Soft texture.
2004 Carneros - Syrah ($21)
A full-bodied syrah, ripe and spicy. Lovely aromas and flavors of black plum, dried cherry, chocolate and toasty oak.
2003 Mendocino - Syrah ($20)
A pinot-like syrah. Cherry and plum fruit flavors. A bit tart. Note of tomato leaf. Medium-bodied, with light oak.
2004 South Ridge, Paso Robles - Syrah ($15)
Beautiful integration of fruit and meat flavors. Notes of blueberry, plum, toasty oak and spice. Medium complexity.
2003 Napa Valley - Syrah ($40)
Slightly tannic and tight, with meaty flavors. Full-bodied. Notes of blackberry and toasty oak. Medium complexity.
2002 Sonoma Valley - Syrah ($21)
Complex and showy. Ripe jammy fruit flavors of blackberry and plum. Notes of pepper, chocolate and spice. Long finish.
2003 Wildcat Mountain, Carneros - Syrah ($32)
A beautiful syrah. Lovely fruit flavors of black raspberry, baked cherry pie and plum. Classic peppercorn quality.
2004 Abba Vineyard, Lodi - Syrah ($18)
Full-bodied, with aromas and flavors of wild berry, black plum, vanilla and toasty oak. Medium complexity.
2002 Alexander Valley - Shiraz ($28)
A rich, earthy, mouth-filling shiraz. Full-bodied. Integrated tannins. Notes of dark cherry, toasty oak and espresso.
2004 Yellow Label, South Australia - Shiraz ($12)
A zesty shiraz. Notes of blackberry, black pepper, cedar and sandalwood. Medium-bodied. Medium complexity.
TASTING PANEL: Stefen Soltysiak, education director, Rodney Strong Vineyards; Jeff Cox, Press Democrat restaurant reviewer; Tom Simoneau, KSRO's "Wine Guy;" and Press Democrat wine columnist Peg Melnik.
CRITERIA: The panel samples eight to 12 wines a week in a blind tasting. Wine of the Week is based on quality, value and availability and is not necessarily the top wine of the tasting. Price is suggested retail; actual price is often lower.You can reach Staff Writer Peg Melnik at 521-5310 or e-mail pmelnik@pressdemocrat.com