Jeff Cohn Cellars Syrah Domaine Des Chirats

Oh crud. I saw this bottle and thought I could drink fast before the oak would have a chance to really show. I shoulda read my notes. (And while I'm on it, there is someone who does old school Syrah like Baroli with submerged cap fermentation: Porseleinberg Syrah Swartland South Africa. To answer a previous question.) This wine is big. This wine is oaky. This wine is yucchy. But remember this is my palate. To be fair this is quality …

VM 29

If the new oak ever worked with this juice is was obviously during its very younger days. Right now most of what was probably great fruit has faded and leaves us with those oak tannins and char. I've got more bottles. Who wants them?

Soft, drinking well. Better 2nd day after decanting

Bought 6 at auction. These have been standing up since pickup last summer, but still, a good 8oz was left in bottle with the fine sediment. Boozey! 15.2%, which got in the way of anything real on the nose. Kinda burnt my nose hairs. Maybe I had to chill this wine a touch, serve at 55. (It was at 65) Palate was really good with loads of rich spices, meats, lush fruits. I would have guessed Aussie, McLaren Vale, maybe …

Decanted for 45 minutes before first tasting. Right from the start, all aspects of this wine revealed a refined, well-made syrah. Slight violet perfume with black fruit on nose, great tongue coating on palate with balance of blue fruit, touch of earth, and various spices kicking in leading to the lengthy finish. Three hours later, everything was still there - maybe even more body and finish. Definitely one of the most elegant syrahs I've tasted.

94-96: might not be the most fair score, but this wine was #10 in an amazing lineup. It followed the Clarendon Hills, so my palate was a bit abused. But here's this beautiful wine, with that nose of violets and pepper, it's not the strongest nose, but it's nice. Then the palate - starts out warm, spicy, a little thick, with earth, blue fruit, and a slight savory touch. It's nice, pleasant wine that will finish a great night. Then …

Collab with Yves Cuilleron; 15.2%, more violets on the nose, black pepper, tar, roasted black fruit, elegant tannins while becoming grippy late, savory, herbs, refined and elegant finish.