Okay, so that title was too easy. I know. But I needed a softball for my first blog after being on summer social engagement hiatus. Since my last post (which was eons ago, I am aware), Tim and I witnessed five couples comprised of close friends and family get married, celebrated several bachelor/bachelorette and birthday parties, went camping for a week, hosted a few different houseguests, and celebrated our first anniversary as a married couple. Though we are not in the clear yet – between the two of us, we still have a 30th birthday/engagement party, Tim’s mom’s 60th birthday party, a Lady Gaga concert, a trip to San Diego, an epic backpacking trip through the Eastern Sierras, my 30th birthday and a trip to Ashland – things are starting to wind down, which means Amy’s Wine House is back. I apologize for my sudden and unexplained disappearance. But what would this blog be without a little drama and suspense?
Oh yeah, that’s right. It would be my feeble attempt to review wines. That being said, let’s get to it.
So round about mid-June, one of my good friends, Jessica, moved back to San Francisco after attending grad school and working for a few years in Washington D.C. Excited to see her back on the West Coast and in need of an excuse to clean our apartment, Tim and I put her up at our place for a week while she was looking for a place to share with her “then-boyfriend” (I mentioned we have an engagement party to attend!). A fellow wino, Jessica was only too happy to help me sample some Syrah for my next post. I don’t think either of knew at the time that it would take me two months to actually write and upload the thing. BUT…I am glad I waited. Now, in honor of Jess and her recent engagement to her fiancé Josh, I’m going to review that bottle of Syrah we shared so long ago. Like the wine we tasted, we were so young back then.
In an attempt to branch out and also as a response to some of my followers who have asked me to review a more affordable wine, I picked up a 2007 Rootstock North Coast Syrah from Ukiah, CA. Choosing the wine was a very deliberate and scientific process – I liked the label and the bottle cost $6.99. After a nice, hearty meal of Zachary’s pizza, we headed home to pop open this Rootstock Rhone.
I will say, the wine was beautiful in the glass – it had a dark plum color and slight legs that seemed to foreshadow deep, rich qualities. I swirled and sniffed to find a nose showing strong dark berries, cloves and hints of leather. At times, we even got whiffs of cherry chapstick (huh?). However, with 14.6% alcohol, this little libation was rocking a pretty big alcohol smell. Needless to say, the nose was a mixed bag. The berries and cloves were enticing; the strong alcohol smell was not. But we pressed on.
This Syrah showed an immediate smoothness and drinkability on the front palate, yet became more peppery has it moved through the mid-palate and beyond. A testament to its staying power, the wine boasted a lingering savory, earthy finish with hints of game, dark cherries and slight tannins. The mouthfeel was gritty; and we agreed that it was a heavier Syrah than most, but felt as though it had enough structure to last over time.
As it was, it was drinkable – especially if you wanted a wine you could drink on its own. But this wine was young, and tight, and definitely could have benefitted from some time to mellow out. It wasn’t particularly well-balanced or complex, but I wasn’t completely bored either, I guess. All in all, this Syrah works if you are looking for a cheap earthy wine that will stand on its own, or if you need something to pair with your pizza, spicy sausage or BBQ’d red meats. In the end, Jess and I finished the bottle, but I think next time we’d “root” for a different “stock.”
Amy Award: 2.5 stars (out of 5)
Spendy Scale: $7
Best bet: A cheap wine to pair with your pizza or a late-night bottle with an old friend
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