El Dorado Rhone Blend, Swan Syrah, Zin, and Petit

2013 Two Shepherds Rousanne-Marsanne El Dorado County. A favorite IPOB producer nailed this one. Quite savory, almost salty. Not heavy like some White Rhone blends can be, but there is still the roundness of the grapes cut by some nice acidity. Not a fruit-forward wine, this sung with food.

2010 Joseph Swan Syrah. Another lithe, savory wine. There was some lovely smokiness here that went very well with the ribs.

2011 Quivera "Flygt" Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley. This was quite different than the last bottle from a couple of years ago. I do NOT remember the raisin note last time. Was it a storage issue? Bottle variation? Still enough acidity and freshness to provide cut and it was not a bad wine.

2013 Bella Terra Petit Sirah. As with their cabernets, this Russian River (Olivet Road north of Santa Rosa) does not make standard big California wines. Quite tense and wiry with an acid core that I enjoyed quite a bit. As with the cabernet, colder climate is good for Petit!

I've never had a Swan Syrah! Sounds good. Was it vineyard-designated?

(Also, did you mean Tara Bella rather than Bella Terra?)

I've never had a Swan Syrah! Sounds good. Was it vineyard-designated?

(Also, did you mean Tara Bella rather than Bella Terra?)

Oops. My bad.

The Syrah was a vineyard designate but I didn't write the name down

Swan also makes Tannat! And a little bit of Cabernet.

I like their Pinots and Zins enough that I'd try anything they put their hands to. Really must go for a tasting one of these years! Thanks...

Rod makes Syrah from at least 3 different vineyards. From your note, I'd guess it was the Trenton Station rather than the Great Oak vineyard or the estate vineyard. I rather doubt Great Oak, because that vineyard seems to make wines that take a long time to smooth out.

Rod makes Syrah from at least 3 different vineyards. From your note, I'd guess it was the Trenton Station rather than the Great Oak vineyard or the estate vineyard. I rather doubt Great Oak, because that vineyard seems to make wines that take a long time to smooth out.

Ach. But it was Great Oak. I remember now!

Bear in mind I am very tannin and acid tolerant, and none of us noted a particularly brash wine in this bottle!

I have enjoyed his Syrahs in the past.

I had one bad tasting a couple-three years ago, but decided to give them another chance and I am glad I did, as the lineup now is right up my alley!

I really enjoy the Great Oak wines too. But they do need some time in the Ignore list. When you're there, ask Chris, who is usually running the tasting room, about the different.vineyards. He's an assistant winemaker to Rod and general gofer in addition to doing the tasting room and keeping the website more or less going. He can discuss things like yields and weather effects from personal experience nowadays.

I'm intrigued by the Two Shepherds, thanks for posting!