WTN: 2 Krankls, a Thackrey and a Turley

[geo t.]

We enjoyed the first three wines with our friend Margaret Marchak at her place on Thanksgiving; then we got Sirius when we got home.

2002 Turley Contra Costa Zinfandel Duarte Vineyard, 16.7% alc.: This big zin shows a dense dark garnet color, and exudes a rich reduced black raspberry, blackberry, black cherry and chocolate character on both nose and palate; it has a dense, yet creamy mouthfeel, with just a little heat on the finish. Turley takes some knocks from some quarters, but what’s not to like here?!

2001 Sine Qua Non No.6 Yamhill Pinot Noir Shea Vineyard, 14.2% alc.: Perhaps strangely, considering its source, I found this ruby dark garnet Pinot Noir to be somewhat reminiscent of Flowers, with its rich black cherry, plum and pomegranate flavors and aromas. Somewhat Syrah – like, it’s fairly dense and concentrated, and yet silky at the same time, with tannins that aren’t at all intrusive. A very nice glass of Pinot Noir, and a great match with a delicious Thanksgiving turkey dinner.

1998 Sine Qua Non E-raised California Red Wine, 14% alc.: Showing just a hint of rust to the dark garnet color, this delicious Syrah gives very nice, moderately earthy plum, prune and black cherry flavors and aromas that are accented with smoke, pepper, and hints of leather and tar. The wine tastes like it came from older barrels, rather than new, or at least from a regimen that included a varying degree of older to younger, and as it opens, it develops even richer flavor. Balanced and delicious, with an ever – so – slightly funky quality that actually adds to the appeal, rather than detracts, this is a Californian expression of Syrah that even a Franco – phile can enjoy. Very nice indeed! Sourced primarily from the Alban Vineyard in San Luis Obispo, and Bien Nacido and Stolpman Vineyards in Santa Barbara.

2001 Thackrey Sirius (Mendocino Petite Sirah Eaglepoint Ranch), 14.7% alc.: An inky black hole of color, this is all about intense, concentrated black plum and blackberry, with very little in the way of earth or tar; it’s big, rich and juicy, with remarkably pure fruit, if not that much complexity right now. Despite its considerable size, it’s very approachable, with excellent balance and structure, and while it’s already delicious, it will be so much better in another five years and more.

Reporting from Day-twah,

geo t.

Edited December 20, 2004 by geo t. (log)