1. Neyers Syrah OldLakevilleRd/SonomaCoast (14.4%; www.NeyersVineyards.com) StHelena 2008: Very dark color w/ no bricking; very strong blackberry/blueberry/Syrah/very spicy light cold-climate/black pepper some roasted/smoked meats/Rhonish fairly complex lovely Rhonish nose; some tart/tangy strong blackberry/blueberry/Syrah bit spicy/thyme slight c-c/cracked pepper somewhat Rhonish/pungent/smoked meats complex flavor w/ light hard/angular tannins; very long fairly tart strong blackberry/blueberry/Syrah light spicy/thyme/c-c/black pepper bit roasted/Rhonish/pungent finish w/ light crunchy tannins; a beautiful c-c/Rhonish nose but still some hard tannins that may never resolve; probably pretty near to prime time.
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2. Neyers Syrah HudsonVnyd/NapaVlly (14.1%) 2008: Very dark/near black color w/ no bricking; intense blackberry/Syrah/blueberry/boysenberry/ripe slight black pepper/olive tapenade slight Rhonish/smoked meats light toasty/oak fairly complex nose; lightly tart/bit softer strong ripe/blackberry/Syrah/blueberry/big fruit slight olive tapenade/peppery/Rhonish/pungent some toasty/oak/smokey bit complex flavor w/ light smooth/ripe tannins; very long lightly tart strong ripe/blackberry/Syrah/blueberry lightly spicy slight earthy/dusty slight peppery/olive tapenade light toasty/oak bit complex finish w/ light gentle tannins; speaks more of Calif Syrah and less of Rhone; not quite as interesting/complex as the OLRd but has come together a bit better; plenty of Syrah fruit and no signs of drying out.
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A wee BloodyPulpit:
1. BruceNeyers and I go way back. To the late '70's, when we first met at JosephPhelps where he was marketing director. He took me into JoePhelps office & introduced us. Joe was one of the friendliest/genuine guys you'd ever want to meet. We talked Syrah and Viognier awhile and then reminisced about his old days in Colorado and the LiquorMart.
NeyersVnyds doesn't get a whole lot of buzz. Tis a shame, because they're making some very good wines at reasonable prices. Who knows...maybe they need a crack marketing director in there??
Their focus is on Cab/Chard, which doesn't interest me all that much. But I've always been impressed by their Syrahs. Their Cuvee d'Honoree (don't know if they still make that or not) is one of Calif's great Syrahs. Not had one for awhile..must correct that.I think these two '08's were made when EhrenJordan was still there. Since he left, I think Thad has been doing an outstanding job.
Anyway...nice to revisit Neyers. Done been away way too long.
Tom