L'Ecole No. 41 Syrah

I usually like this wine, so I was surprised after the bottle was unveiled. Some peppery Shiraz notes with some fruit but quite on the defensive side. Medium finish

Dark berry fruit, licorice, some herb I could not quite pin down; overall disjointed on the first night, just too much fruit-- second night, better balance but still not quite integrated. Oak still more prominent both nights.

A little bit of funk going on in this bottle like barnyard and pepper on the nose. The palate has red fruit, pepper and a herbal character. I thought this was kind of interesting to drink but not an amazing wine.

This dark colored Syrah offers an expressive bouquet of red berries, an earthy & leathery note and raw meat. The palate is smooth and juicy with an intense fruit cocktail, that is pure and fresh and not sticky and jammy as many "new world" Syrahs. In addition, the wine offers aromas of leather, pepper, spices, some vegetal and herbal greenness and good weight. Typical Syrah flavors. Well integrated oak. Unfortunately, the high alcohol levels (14,8%) are very obvious and lead …

Weak in body. Like drinking cotton candy ... you expect a mouthful, but you end up tasting air and the remnants of the berry, peppery fruit. Disappointing.

Dirt and pepper with a little ham at the end. No different on day two. Priced appropriately.