As good as Jade Mountain’s ’02 Syrah is, this is considerably better, if complexity and depth are the yardstick. It begins with an impressive burst of white pepper, and then floods the mouth with the plushest blackberry and cherry flavors. Ultimately, it’s the tannins that strike you. They’re soft as velvet, sweet, and as intricate as an old tapestry.
— S.H.
(10/1/2004)
This is a richly textured, lush, complex wine brimming with a well integrated blend of earth tones, black cherry, raspberry, anise, tea, coffee, chocolate, herb, spice and toast flavors. Long and seductive to the end, it’s hard hold to back and just sip this hedonistic blend.
— J.M.
(4/1/2004)
Still plenty of grippy tannins in this wine, which has some Grenache and Viognier. But the astringency doesn’t mask the huge flavors of black cherries and sweet oak. Displays pure mountain character of intensity and power. Drink now through 2010.
— S.H.
(5/1/2005)
Super Syrah, just fabulous in blackberry, cherry, milk chocolate, sweet leather, herb and oak flavors, and with such a lush, smooth mouthfeel. Just oozes quality, from the dramatic first taste to the ultralong finish.
— S.H.
(10/1/2004)
Aromas of blackberry and spice, smoke, oak, leather and tar. Plenty of espresso and French roast flavors—a coffee-drinker’s favorite. Rich, ripe and very dense, with soft, luscious tannins and a long finish.
— W.E.
(2/1/2000)
Here’s a beautiful drinking wine that’s rich and smooth. It hits all the right notes, with its well-ripened blackberry, coffee and chocolate flavors, velvety tannins and grand overlay of oak. It is very dry, but those ripe flavors are sweet in fruitiness and last through the long finish.
— S.H.
(3/1/2004)
A spicy, earthy wine that serves up ripe currant, plum and blackberry flavors. Layers of licorice, mineral and herbs are also in evidence. The finish is tangy, with firm, supple tannins.
— J.M.
(7/1/2002)
Full-bodied and richly textured, the wine sports a spicy blend of black cherry, blackberry, toast, herb, coffee and smoke flavors. Slightly astringent on the finish.
— J.M.
(11/15/2002)