K Vintners Syrah Motor City Kitty Boushey Vineyard

From 75cl, good cork, decanted and generally splashed around to wake it up, then 1 hour before serving. Initially unpleasant small of cheap, smoked/pickled meat left a couple of minutes too long on an overheated BBQ. With more air, this subsided to an acceptable, distinctive black charcoal aroma. That, and the medium-ripe blackberry fruit on the weighty, glossy/glycerine-buffered entry are the best aspects. Alas the mid-palate suffers from alarming astringent gain, which then morphs into unripe green bell pepper/capsicum by …

One of the best values in K Vintners portfolio in a good year in my book, but this here iteration is perhaps the worst to date. Thin yet extracted with an odd mix of fruit candy and stems on the palate. Stay far away.

An outstanding Syrah. A big, dark, complex offering definitely a food wine. Give it plenty of air and enjoy.

Surprised by the negative community reviews. Really good on opening, even better after a 2 hour bottle decant. Stood alone well, actually paired well with acid (tomato shells w ricotta and sausage).

Tons of ash notes overwhelm. Just not enjoyable.

Heavy notes of tobacco / ash that doesn't really go away and is distracting.

This wine is a great example of how my palate has evolved over the years and has become more discerning. There was probably a time early on in my exploration with wine that I would have been smitten by a wine like this for the simple fact that it's really "out there." And that was enough once upon a time. These days it's not that I'm opposed to wines that are eccentric or a departure from classic expressions, but I …

Dark fruit and bold flavor with smoke, tannin, all the oak components. Good, but not for the feint of heart.

With some VA to it. Otherwise Yakima Syrah.