Flam Syrah Reserve

Very dark in the glass, this medium to full bodied wine is redolent of dark fruits, graphite, and smoke. A floral streak joins in on the nose. Well-balanced and restrained with gentle tannins. It seemed fuller and sweeter the next day. I'd say to drink within two years.

Some Syrahs on a Saturday afternoon (Loretta Paganini School fo Cooking) : Purple in color. The nose is nice with boysenberries and white pepper. Slight earthy notes. The palate matches the nose. Nice acidity. Not a ton of fruit but balanced. Nice finish.

Closer to Shiraz then to Syrah. Medium to full body, inky purple red color, grossly aromatic, black over ripen fruits, floral, herbal and smoked oak aroma, black currants or plum pozzy, sweet spices and dark chocolate on the palate, floral on finish, medium long finish, powerful, rich, dis-balanced, has no acidity, too high sugar, sweet over ripen tannins. Best match to meat. Open about one hour in advance. Serve 18º - 22º. Drink now and next three years.

Not great, but good. A little softer, more mellow than I like

Deep, almost inky purple towards garnet, a mix of very ripe black fruit as well as fresh and highly aromatic spring flowers on the nose along with hints of mocha and smoke. Full-bodied with on the palate bramble, blackcherries, cassis and toasty oak, with notes of espresso and minted chocolate "cooling" the palate a bit, that elegantly showing on the long, round and silky tannic finish. Elegant and polished yet gentle and promising.

Israeli wines (Israel Vacation) : From Upper Galilee fruit. Purple/blue in color. Mostly clear and bright. The nose has black raspberries with some floral qualities. Medium to full bodied. Medium tannins. Nice acidity. Good black raspberry fruit. Drinks like a mid range Cote Rotie. Still quite young. I liked this one and bought some.