Tried these two over Memorial Day weekend:
1. DryCreekVnyd BeesonRanch/DryCreekVlly Zin (13.5%; 5 acre vnyd > 100 yrs old; http://www.DryCreekVineyard.com) 2004: Very dark/black color; very strong blackberry/boysenberry/Zin light vanilla/oak slight chocolaty/peppery very spicy nose; tart very spicy/blackberry/boysenberry/Zinberry quite spicy bit chocolaty some dusty/old vines light Am.oak flavor; very long bit tannic very strong blackberry/boysenberry/Zin very spicy light peppery/chocolaty finish; needs another yr or two but should easily go out 10 yrs or more;stunning Zin at a very fair price. $30.00
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2. Novy Syrah Rosella'sVnyd/SantaLuciaHighlands (15.1%; http://www.NovyFamilyWines.com) 2001: Black color; beautiful intense chocolaty/herbal/oregano/rosemary intense boysenberry/blackberry/Syrah some roasted/pungent some toasty/charred/oak very complex classic SLH Syrah nose; med.tart very rich/lush pungent/roasted toasty/oak intense blackberry/boysenberry/Syrah some herbal complex flavor; very long light tannic bit herbal/oregano/garigue very intense blackberry/boysenberry/Syrah light toasty/oak finish; very complex and classic SLH Syrah; ready to drink and should go several more yrs; a sensational Syrah. A steal at $25.00
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More thoughtful musings from TheBloodyPulpit:
1. DCV Zins: The quality of the Zins coming out of DCV has taken a big ratchet upward since BillKnuttle came on board as winemaker. This Beeson is, perhaps, his best Zin yet at DCV. Although it has plenty of extract; this is NOT a Zin that's about alcohol and power and on steroids; it's more about balance and expressing the character of an old Zin vnyd. If the bullies at the beach are kicking sand in your face, if you are down in the dumps and your life is no longer worth living because you can't get a Carlisle Zin, then I would suggest you try a DCV BeesonRanch and put some zest back into your life.
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2. Novy: Adam&Diana don't get a whole lot of recognition amongst us RhoneHeads for their Syrahs. But they are quietly cranking out some exceptional Syrahs, under the radar. Although the alcohol levels can be high, it's another wine that's about balance. The '01 Rosella's was about as fine a Novy Syrah as I have had.
TomHill