- 2003 Carlisle Syrah Dry Creek Valley - USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley (11/17/2007)
Opened on short notice so into the glass it a went and the game had begun. I capped off about 1/3 of the bottle to try after a day or 2. First night: Showing a ripe and heavy nose. Enjoyable but ordinary. Certainly heavy across the palate. Ripe but not pruny. Spikes of acid keep it lively. Still unevolved. Not showing too much sweetness.
On the second night we drank the remainder next to the 95 FS Trilogy. I didn't notice much change in the wine other than some candied fruit (berries) came through. Showed much better prior to the food arriving. Don't see any reason not to wait another 5 years for my next bottle. (90 pts.) - 1995 Flora Springs Trilogy - USA, California, Napa Valley (11/18/2007)
Good bye (buy) to an old friend. In 1998 I loved this wine. It enticed me from the aromatics to the palate. I probably should have drank all of them before 2000. But I had to know what it would be come. My last taste about 3.5 years ago, I found the wine kind of boring, I don't think I could get past the memories. Well tonight it was about having Cali Claret with a little bit of age. The wine has held its color well. Aromatics have transitioned. Leather, cedar and just a touch of perfumy flowers. The aromas got better as the night went on and with the food. Sweet and tart attack. Followed by an earthy and meaty middle. You need food to deal with the drying tannins ... but that is a good thing. The wine has matured well. It has been a great wine for me. Sad to see it go. I did stand the wine up for 2 weeks but still had to be very careful with the sediment. (92 pts.)