Winery - Eaglepoint Ranch
* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
From longtime growers, now vintners, on the western slopes of the Mayacamas comes this impressive and huge wine. It’s dark as night, with brilliantly complex aromas of berries, leather, sage, smoke and white pepper. It’s also mouth filling, and has so many facets, it’s hard to keep track. The depth of flavor is stunning, while dusty tannins provide structure. A remarkable Syrah with obvious ageability. —S.H.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
You can tell from the dark color this is a big wine, and one whiff confirms it. Blackberries and plums, smoke, pepper, leather and anise are just some of the complex scents. It’s big and fleshy in the mouth, but seems too extracted, especially for this varietal, which wants a certain austere delicacy. This could easily be a big Merlot. —S.H.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
One of the best Petite Sirahs of the vintage, this rich wine shows an impeccable balance rare in this variety. Everything’s just right, from the smooth dryness and furry tannins to the succulent blackberry fruit to the long, cherried finish. Really a nice, full-bodied red wine. If you’re into cellaring, this should remain viable for at least ten years.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
A little on the simple side, this wine’s most appealing trait is straightforward cherry flavor. It has a pleasant structure, but could use more depth and complexity.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Rugged tannins are front and center in this youthful wine. There’s a wealth of complex wild blackberry, licorice, grilled meat, sage and white-pepper flavor, and the wine is impeccably balanced. With alcohol a relatively modest 14.4%, this powerful Syrah will reward cellaring. Best 2008–2012.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
I love this wine, not only because it’s so good, but also so different. Has the light color and silky body of Pinot Noir, with flavors of cherry liqueur, vanilla and toast, but also has weight and complexity. Try with penne with sausage and mushrooms.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
After all the soft red wines lately, it’s almost a relief to gag on some real tannins. Dry and spicy, with big-time black cherry pie flavors, complete with the baked, buttery crust.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Fans of “Pet” will exult at this wildly exuberant wine. Grown in a dramatic mountain vineyard high above the Central Mendocino plain, it’s bone dry and gigantic in tannins, with massive flavors of black currants, red meat, charred meat bone and pepper. Will age for at least a decade.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Full-bodied and tannic for a California Grenache, but with those distinctly yummy, intense red cherry aromas and flavors, accented with a touch of smoky oak. Turns rich in cherry liqueur on the finish. Try this dry wine as a switch from Merlot or Syrah.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Dry, leathery and tannic, this Syrah isn’t offering much relief right now. It has tightly wound flavors of crushed blackberries, black currants, cola, leather and pepper. It’s a good mountain wine, but it really needs some time. Give it four or five years.
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