Had these two older WindGap Syrahs the other night:
1. WindGap Syrah GriffinsLair/SonomaCoast (14.6%; #4229; 365 cs) PaxMahleWines/Forestville 2007: Dark color w/ some bricking; beautiful c-c/black pepper strong blackberry/spicy/Syrah quite Rhonish/w-c/roasted/espresso/smoked meats quite complex nose; fairly tart/tangy some w-c/Rhonish/smokey slightly cedary/pencilly/oldRed light blackberry/Syrah/c-c/peppery some pencilly/Fr.oak bit drying out/tired complex flavor w/ light drying tannins; very long/lingering very Rhonish/w-c/roasted bit blackberry/Syrah finish w/ light drying tannins; a beautiful fully-mature c-c/Rhonish Syrah on the nose but drying out some on the palate.
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2. WindGap Syrah Castelli-Knight Ranch/RRV (14.9%; 345 cs; #937; www.WindGapWines.com) 2007: Med.dark color w/ some bricking; strong spicy/blackberry/Syrah slight funky/wet dog fur that cleared strong pungent/toasty/oak slight Rhonish/w-c some compex nose; bit soft rich/lush strong blackberry/Syrah/spicy some toasty/Fr.oak bit drying/not as tired some complex flavor w/ light drying tannins; a fully mature Calif Syrah but not quite as drying out on the palate; more of a mainstream fully mature Calif Syrah.
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More fistybork from TheBloodyPulpit:
1. I liked both of these Syrahs quite a lot on the nose. The Griffins was much more interesting & much more Rhonish in character. Both of these were starting to show a bit tired on the palate & drying out. Clearly on their last legs & should be drubk up. The next morning after overnight on the counter, they were losing a lot on the nose & becoming pretty tired/astringent on the palate. Both had seen better days.
Tom