Syrah Tasting, Part Two

There was little competition for the best wine in the tasting and when the discussions were over and the votes were in there was a solid choice for the second place wine - a silver medal.  Five tasters had this wine second and one had the wine in third.  Only one rated it lower.

The wine was a 2006 J L Chave Offerus from the St. Joseph region of the northern Rhone.  Lots of tart, red cherries and dry dusty earth in the nose.  There was a touch of brettanomyces in the nose as well.  In this case it added to the complexity and no one found it offensive.  This wine was a mouthful with sharp young tannins demanding attention.  There was a good balance between the tart red cherries and the earth.  Great acidity in this wine left the mouth refreshed.  As the day progressed the wine opened up more and more.  It was great with the food.

Really good wine that I had close to Ulithorne for first place.  There was a little more elegance to the Ulithorne but I loved the rustic flavors in this wine as well.

Pictured below is one of the appetizers on the table, rare roasted beef with a glaze of reduced balsamic vinegar and honey and Meyer lemons to add more acidity.