We are doting dog owners, and every year have a birthday tea for Lucy the Basset Hound. Saturday afternoon was rained out, and it wasn't looking much better for Sunday. It was raining at 1 as we decided what the hell and called people to say it was on, but by time party was to begin at 2 it had stopped, and by 2:30 sun was peeking out. Pugs, a LhasaPoo, and an English Bulldog joined the celebration, but the Saturday cancellation we lost the poodle, retriever, and Yorkies, with their wine drinking owners. So no wine, but I opened the planned thematic bottle with dinner (ribeye steaks, salad, green beans, and baked potato). The 2003 Edmunds St. John "Bassetti Vineyard" Syrah (San Luis Obispo County) is an excellent albeit juvenile bottle. At first it showed lots of fruit, but still overshadowed by the acidic and tannic structure. About an hour after opening it was less dominated by the stucture, though still firm. Both dark (blackberry) and red (raspberry) fruit notes, some smoke, pepper, a little earth. The fruit is kept lively by a really nice acidic spine. The size let it stand up well to the steak, but I'm going to save my remaining bottles for a while. Wish I had some of the 2005. A-
Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent wine, B a good wine, C mediocre. Anything below C means I wouldn't drink at a party where it was only choice. Furthermore, I offer no promises of objectivity, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency.
