Domaine Michelas St Jemms, Crozes-Hermitage, Terres Arce

Wow. Initial impression. Pure distilled blood of Syrah. This is intensely dark and concentrated. Hint of oak. But great acidity. Sneaky tannins hang around on the palate for 30 seconds. This is in the decanter. Will update over the next few hours…

👃 Dried dark red fruit, umami notes like soy, Maggi condiment, and mushrooms 👅 Medium- to fullbodied (ABV 13%) with lively acidity (m+), firm yet round and velvety tannins, cured Serrano ham, plum, dark bitter chocolate and a fairly long peppery finish 📝 Very intense on nose and palate. In a good place with an exquisite balance of remaining fruit and savory tertiary notes. Almost perfect, if only the finish were longer Tasted blind in the lovely company of @Jonas …

Food friendly Syrah with some pepper and no tannins. Dark fruit that held up for 2 nights.

Was fine, if somewhat simple, on the first night. Second night, it fell apart and showed mostly oxidation.

Consistent with previous bottle. Food friendly and easy drinking syrah although somewhat one note.

Quick decant. Dark purple color. Nose of blackberry, lilac and black pepper. Similar flavors on the palate with a ripe blackberry fruit note, a bit of black licorice and peppery spice. Medium+ acid and tannins with a dry mouthfeel and slightly clunky finish. A bit simple perhaps but shows distinct syrah traits and solid for the price paid.

OK, I confess: I am not a Syrah fan, but what a great value thru invino.com at only $15. Dark, brooding, typical Syrah color — so much extract it coats the bottle. Syrah-spicy nose and aggressive yet refined food-friendly flavors. No oak. Drink now for its come-hitherness or lay aside to see how it develops in the future.

This opaque ruby wine was Vinturi-decanted and serially sampled over the ensuing 3-4 hours. Dark bramble fruits, smoke, garrigue and anise characterize both the aromas and flavors. Medium-bodied, fresh, seamlessly alcoholic (13.0%) and with medium-weight, chewy tannins, it sails through the middle and closes with impressive length. This Syrah shows a beautiful balance of fruit and structure. It should be at its best over the next five years. Drink now-2020.

Dark fruit and tobacco on the nose, not as big as other Rhone syrahs, great with food, good price

Open 20 hours. Blac-purple ruby. Lots of viscosity, like motor oil. Nose mostly closed, with a hint of violets. Palate is dense and earthy. Not much fruit in evidence. Very brooding and closed. This might turn out fine in many years, but very closed and very hard right now. Difficult to appreciate or evaluate. For now, 4-11-12-7: 84/100.

Color: Black. Opaque. Clearly visible sediment. Nose: A dusty, peppery fruit basket potpourri. Dry rose petals. Toast, oak, cigar box and hints of anise/licorice. Taste. Big and tannic. Dry, spicy mix of tart crab apple skins, cherry and cranberry. Leather, tobacco and bitters in the medium finish. Nice balance of fruit, spice and acidity, but needs more time to integrate.