2005 Edmunds St John Parmelee-Hill Syrah (Sonoma Co.)
As I continue to taste my way through some of my lastest ESJ purchases...opened, but not decanted, for about an hour.
Deep, dark, almost black, in the stem. Initially the nose is somewhat muted, but with a bit of coaxing we are treated to a nice blend of black fruit, anise and some bacon fat. The palate pretty much follows and I am left wondering is the new world or old world. I know I'd have trouble making the call if I were served this blind. Old world? new world? Hmmm, so I decide it is perhaps the best of both worlds. The wine is initially lighter bodied than I expected, but it definitely gained weight over the course of the meal. Nice lengthy black pepper dominated finish. Plenty of grippy tannins combine with gum/tongue tingling acids provide enough backbone to carry this wine for a number of years.
Pre-discount priced at $25 and definitely worth it to me.