2012 Reynvaan Family Syrah The Contender
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Tasting notes
(13.8% alcohol; co-fermented with 3% Marsanne): Saturated ruby-red. A touch of apricot skin adds interest to the blackberry and boysenberry aromas, but the overall impression here is less floral than the In the Rocks Syrah with its Viognier component. Sweet, silky and intense, conveying a captivating fine-grained texture to its flavors of purple berries lifted by a hint of white stone fruits. Not at all a meaty style of Syrah, and a bit more tannic than the In the Rocks, perhaps due to the Marsanne addition.
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Average Score
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Jeb Dunnuck, Wine Advocate
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A classic Rocks Syrah, the 2012 Syrah The Contender is a deep, rich, full-bodied beauty that boasts terrific notes of ripe plums, blackberries, truffle and wild herbs. Incorporating 3% Marsanne (which also give the texture some oomph), it has a big, layered, seamless texture, no hard edges and sweet tannin. Drink it anytime over the coming 10-15 years.