2011 Rhys Syrah Skyline Vineyard
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Tasting notes
Sporting a classic, cool-climate bouquet of blackberry, black raspberry, wood smoke, olive tapenade and gamy meats, with an almost Cornas-like bloodiness, the 2011 Syrah Skyline Vineyard hits the palate with a medium-bodied, supple, rounded, yet beautifully balanced profile. Nicely concentrated, with good mid-palate density, it has sweet tannin, integrated acidity and surprising persistence on the finish. It's drinking beautifully now, but I've no doubts it will evolve nicely over the coming decade.
Critic scores
Average Score
Allen Meadows, Burghound
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Interestingly, this is much more reserved, indeed the nose is almost mute and only aggressive swirling liberates grudging notes of dried flowers and essence of red berries that are trimmed in soft spice nuances. There is strikingly good detail to the ripe and wonderfully intense medium weight flavors that possess excellent underlying material while offering terrific depth and length on the balanced but very backward finish. While this is not necessarily better than the Horseshoe today I suspect that the Skyline will ultimately be the better wine. Time will of course tell but what it clear is that both possess superb development potential. *Outstanding*
Iron, red stone fruits, mint, leather and game meld together in the 2011 Syrah Skyline Vineyard. A powerful, intense Syrah with distinctly ferrous overtones, the 2011 Skyline boasts terrific balance and plenty of personality, especially within the context of the year. The 2011 was done entirely in neutral oak with 100% whole clusters. Sadly, 2012 will be the last vintage of Syrah in the Skyline Vineyard, as the plants have been ripped out in favor of Pinot Noir.
Deep ruby. Heady, exotically perfumed scents of dark berry liqueur, Asian spices, potpourri and olive, with a mineral quality adding lift. Sappy cherry-cola and black raspberry flavors pick up a refreshingly bitter edge with air and show excellent clarity and power. Takes a turn to red fruit on the spicy, persistent finish, which leaves a sexy floral note behind. This wine was made with two-thirds whole clusters. (ST)