2004 En Chamberlin Vineyard Syrah
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Tasting notes
Good deep ruby-red. Deep, somewhat exotic aromas of gunflint, leather and roasted meat. Fat, lush and sweet, with a distinctly saline quality but also real nerve thanks to its superb mineral energy. Intriguing elements of rare steak and iodine. Finishes impressively rich but quite dry, with chewy tannins. This robust wine reminded me of Cornas, but then Baron's syrah are always among the most northern Rhone-like of any syrahs made in America. (A second bottle was equally rich and thick but not quite as vibrant or long.)
Critic scores
Average Score
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Jay S Miller, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
The 2004 Syrah “En Chamberlin Vineyard” is Cote-Rotie-like in its racy style. Beautifully perfumed with aromas of bacon, sausage, truffle, blueberry, and blackberry liqueur, this super-concentrated effort is impeccably structured for the long haul. It has enough succulence to provide pleasure now but it merits 8-10 years in the bottle to fully express itself. Patient pleasure-seekers will enjoy this wine through 2040. If that is not enough, I tasted a barrel sample of a 2005 Grenache which rivals the best grown in the USA. Could it be that before long Manfred Krankl of SQN will be known as the Christophe Baron of the Central Coast? Tel. (509) 526-0686; www.cayuse.com