WTN: Thirty

[David M. Bueker]

• 1995 Edmunds St. John Syrah - USA, California (8/2/2025)
  Six years ago I thought this particular wine was at the drink up stage. Last night I opened my last bottle. No shock it showed better/younger that the bottle from 2019, because wine likes to laugh at people.
  
  I think this one was helped by a really good cork, sturdy, no crumbling, and barely stained, so clearly a snug fit. The color of the wine was still a deep red, with very little fading at the rim. The aromas were heavenly - if heaven smells like a pit barbecue competition. So meaty, smoky, and somewhere under there even still a little bit fruity. The palate was an umami fest - dark and savory, all roasted meat. Tannins largely gone, so just hanging together through the acidic structure, but sustained for several hours, so not going round the bend any time soon of you get lucky with a perfect seal the way I did.

Six years ago I thought this particular wine was at the drink up stage. Last night I opened my last bottle. No shock it showed better/younger that the bottle from 2019, because wine likes to laugh at people.

Great that you had such a nice bottle. And funny how that works with bottles showing older-younger over time. Maddening for planning, but I guess it keeps things 'interesting'...

[David M. Bueker]

Always an adventure. That keeps me coming back!

In short, this is why we age wine. What a treat, David. So glad you didn't let your previous experience propel you into doing something rash.

I had a half-bottle recently, and very similar reactions. Where there's smoke, there's still fire.

Nice! I don't remember having this, though I loved many bottles of 95 Durrell and Cotes Sauvages. Jealous.