Jaffurs, Larner Syrah, Ballard Canyon

There is nothing “petite” about this Petite Sirah. It looks, smells and tastes .... BIG. The glass becomes a black hole for all light. As light is captured, the glass releases distinct scents of blackberry jam, plum, crunchy black fruits, cedar, lavender, and coffee; maybe a bit of dusty rose. The tannins are no longer angular, but aren’t shy either. Simply a well crafted wine that is flexing its power with the pistons in perfect harmony. It made me wonder …

2005 vintage

Decanted for one hour and consumed for the next 4+ hours. High toned nose has crushed blueberry and blackberry, some dark earth/creosote notes with some heat poking out too. Full bodied with more high toned black fruit. Quite polished with a burst of acidity (bordering on VA, but not quite) on the mid-palate. Tannins are there, but you really have to look for them lurking below the generous fruit. I found this a bit awkward -- the high toned fruit …

2005 vintage

Great wine - drank over two days. Had great balance with fruit, mineral and acidity working well together.

2005 vintage

This wine is big, concentrated and has a wonderful nose to match. Plenty of age left in this baby, but in my opinion, there might be a risk of the alcohol showing more as other components fade with aging. Classic Bien Nacido.

2005 vintage

Great nose. Loads of sweet/tart, smoky/olive, spicy pepper fruit. Good tannins. Big Cali Syrah at or near its peak. Day 2 is spectacular. Plus a point.

2005 vintage

I agree with Mootsie's assessment as I too had it this weekend and enjoyed it over 3 hours on day one and finished the rest up on day 2. Initially on day 1 it showed floral, black pepper and iron/blood notes coupled with blackberry with black pepper really showing on the palate. The finish seemed short early on and the tannin was smooth. It really didn't come together until it had 2-3 hours of air. Day 2, the wine showed …

2005 vintage

Syrupy sweet at pop n pour. Developed some spice tones and tannins appeared with air. Simpler than I would have expected for a 9 year old wine. The '11 version of this wine is more complex and interesting. Who would have thought that a younger Petite would be the better wine? Day 2 update. The sweetness is gone replaced by a wine with much depth and loaded with tannins. A very different wine on day 2. Up 2 points. Great …

2005 vintage

The wine is a very dark purple color, almost black. The very inviting nose has blackberries, blueberries, white pepper, baking spices, melted licorice, violets, and some dark chocolate. This is medium to full bodied with solid, ripe tannins and very good acidity. Ripe, juicy, spicy berries dominate the palate with some very nice licorice and dark chocolate coming through on the backend. The bright acidity and tannins keep the wine in check and actually makes it seem a bit lighter …

2005 vintage

Still aromatic, youthful and intense with a lovely resolving palate feel. Rich but not overly weighty or sweet.

2005 vintage

Very enjoyable. Everything was well-integrated and it's drinking well. Rich, lush fruit, black fruits, not over the top. Went great with porcini-crusted filets.

2005 vintage

Drank this on its third night open. Dense nose of blackberry, pie crust, blueberries and spices. Thought it was a bit too extracted for my tastes, but a well made wine. Can't imagine how this would have been on night 1.

2005 vintage

Popped and poured. I didn't take notes on this wine though it was thoroughly enjoyable and is drinking quite nicely.

2005 vintage

As mentioned by previous tasters, this wine has really benefited from a few years in bottle. The wine was inky black colored as usual, with an awesome nose of plum, allspice and blackberry. A nice rich mouth of plum followed. I wish I had more of this wine.

2005 vintage

Huge...big bold and dark...blackberries, cloves and plums. Has benefited greatly from three years in the cellar.

2005 vintage

first time trying this after laying down a few bottles 4 yrs ago. we love PS and this was wonderful. incredible unique floral nose, rich mouthfeel and intense dark fruit flavors. definately will buy some of the current 07 vintage to lay down.

2005 vintage

Plum and hoisin sauce nose and peppery finish make this typically dark and full bodied petite sirah ultra typical of the grape. Great with pizza or barbeque.

2005 vintage

Inky black in color, somewhat muted nose at first which opened up to reveal, blue fruit, violets, the tell-tale strained yoghurt I get from alot of Bien Nacido Syrah. On the palate extracted blue, black fruits some smoke, a tiny bit of chalky texture with low acidity and a moderately long finish. This one is still a baby!

2005 vintage

corked something fierce. Bad

2005 vintage

Now that's more like it. Went great with the steaks on the grill. Felt like there is plenty more time for my other two bottles.

2005 vintage

Very impressive deep, inky purple. Big fruit with the telltale smokey taste of the petite sirah. For the price, and exceptionally big wine. Buy again!

2005 vintage

Dark, Brooding Wine. Concentrated dense black fruits, roasted meat, smoke and woody tannin. Some Coffee and Spice notes as well. Actually has pretty nice balance for such a massive wine - not too overpowering with alcohol.

2005 vintage

Casual Big Reds (Nandas) : Completely black opaque purple color. Big bold sweet black fruit nose. Hug black fruit coffee and asphalt on the palate. I liked this wine a lot. 94-95 pts.

2005 vintage

Casual Tasting of Big Reds (My Place) : Color is black as night. Tight nose starts to reveal black berries, scorched earth, white pepper and herbs. Monster on the palate - very rich with blueberries and loads of spices. Delicious with a surprising amount of lift. Good upside here.

2005 vintage

Love this lip staining wine so much. Definitely important to pair it with the right food. I am going to hold my second bottle for two more years.

2005 vintage

First off this wine took a long time to open up. Even after three hours of decant I could still taste the youth in it. It might just be me, but I am finding the 2004s and 2005s need a lot of air. But then again they are young. As for the color, a nice deep dark, purple to an almost inky black. The nose is full of fruit cherry, and berry, with some spice, even thought I got some …

2005 vintage

Inky Dark purple, almost coating the glass. Big blackberry and a little bit of black licorice on the nose. Full bodied with big chewy tannins and a long finish. This is a really good wine.

2005 vintage

Just a wonderfully enjoyable and affordable wine. Great varietal qualities, smooth, balanced and full of flavor.

2005 vintage

wine.woot NoVA-area gathering. Structured, fruity, long, delicious finish. Perhaps the star of a long evening of tasting.

2005 vintage

Really love this wine. Fantasistic, fragrant nose - Dense, extracted fruit flavors with a strong mid palate and a long finish with silky tannins. A super, velvety syrah.

2005 vintage

Inky color. Nice fruit nose. Very nice wine. Enjoyed with tri-tip at Katy and Sean's home.

2005 vintage

Incredibly drinkable, super rich and jammy wine. I've tasted once before and this time I picked up more alcohol "heat" on the finish than I recall last time. Excellent wine with loads of life to it.

2005 vintage

Very nice wine. Enjoyable with all its plummy, juicy fruit and dark inky color.

2005 vintage

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Jaffurs, Larner Syrah, Ballard Canyon

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