WTN: 2005 Edmunds St. John Syrah Wylie-Fenaughty

[David M. Bueker]

Opened last night to show one of Steve's Syrah bottlings to my folks.

It's juicy and rich, with lots of black cherry and blackberry aromas, but also an herbal and dark undertone. Fruit and dusty stone on the palate, with a peppery finish. Just a delight to drink now, but there's a lot of stuffing there, so cellaring is recommended. This is still the most approachable Syrah I have ever tasted from Steve.

[Robin Garr]

Opened last night to show one of Steve's Syrah bottlings to my folks

This is one of Steve's '85s that I tasted in a flight with a bunch of local sommelier buddies to compare and contrast against Parker's relatively negative reports. My notes on the Wylie-Fenaughty don't sound far off your findings:

Edmunds St. John 2005 Wiley-Fenaughty El Dorado County Syrah ($25)
Black. Subtle and complex, red-berry fruit and "forest floor." Ripe and balanced, with ample but smooth, silky tannins that marry well with the beef. The Wiley-Fenaughty has long been my favorite of all the ESJ Syrahs, and the 2005 is right on track. Parker said he found "little weight or depth and virtually no finish." I wonder what he was drinking? Certainly not the wine I had.

David,
Thanks for the note. One of the shops here in town is going to be placing an ESJ order (or at least that is what they told me) via "direct import" since the wines are not distributed in Indiana. I sure hope the 2005 WF is included in their purchase.
Bill

[David M. Bueker]

I originally ordered mine direct from Steve. It's now available locally (!) & I might have to pick up some more (even though I have quite a lot).

David,
Thanks for the note. One of the shops here in town is going to be placing an ESJ order (or at least that is what they told me) via "direct import" since the wines are not distributed in Indiana. I sure hope the 2005 WF is included in their purchase.
Bill

Lucky you Bill....we do not see it here in AB at all. May have to put in a request for some sample olive oil!!!

Hey, guys...any experience with the 2001 version of this wine?

Hey, guys...any experience with the 2001 version of this wine?

Delicious as always. My last bottle a few months ago was in a bit of an awkward stage, but if you see them available for a good price (which somehow seeems to happen quite often, market imperfections and all) you won't go wrong in buying them.

David,
Thanks for the note. One of the shops here in town is going to be placing an ESJ order (or at least that is what they told me) via "direct import" since the wines are not distributed in Indiana. I sure hope the 2005 WF is included in their purchase.

Heh. If not, there are a few bottles sitting in my cellar

Mark Lipton

Heh. If not, there are a few bottles sitting in my cellar

Mark Lipton

I'll be right over.
BP