Served this as a mystery wine in my Syrah tasting:
1. BlackMesaWnry Syrah Velarde/RioAribaCnty/NM (13%; www.BlackMesaWinery.com) Velarde 2014: Dark color; rather peppery/earthy strong Am.oak light blackberry/Syrah bit mushroomy slight hybridy interesting/strange nose; quite tart/tangy/acidic sharp/metallic rather peppery/earthy/loamy light blackberry/Syrah slight hybridy unusual flavor w/ some tangy/metallic tannins; long some peppery/earthy/mushroomy light blackberry/Syrah/peppery slight hybridy bit rustic/coarse bit tangy/metallic finish w/ some tangy tannins; needs a few yrs of age; speaks quietly of Syrah grown in a strange area; actually a rather interesting expression of Syrah. $32.00
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A wee BloodyPulpit:
1. This is the wnry up in Velarde/NM owned by Jerry & Linda Byrd. Some 3-4 yrs ago, they hired KarkJohnson as their winemaker and their wines have progressively improved. Perhaps now the 2'nd best wnry in NM (after Vivac). Anf maybe Gruet if you include WashState wines.
Tom