1. AWS Bristow
K Syrah –Sirah
A Comparative Tasting
March 19, 2017

2. BIG Syrah and little Sirah?
Not so much ….

3. Syrah History 101
Syrah has a long documented history in the Rhône region of southeastern France, but it was not known if it had originated in that region. In 1998, a study conducted by Carole Meredith's used DNA typing to conclude that Syrah was the offspring of the grape varieties Dureza (father) and Mondeuse blanche (mother). In the year AD 77, Pliny the Elder wrote in his Naturalis Historia about the wines of Vienne (which today would be called Côte-Rôtie). He referenced a dark red wine, perhaps Syrah.
In 1831, the Scotsman James Busby ("the Father of Australian viticulture“) made a trip back to Europe to collect cuttings from vines for introduction to Australia. One of the varieties collected by him was Syrah, although Busby used the two spellings "Scyras" and "Ciras". By the 1860s, Syrah was established as an important variety in Australia.

4. Syrah Characteristics
Syrah first came to California in 1878 but most of the state's syrah was destroyed by phylloxera before The Christian Brothers winery planted four acres in Joseph Phelps purchased the fruit and was impressed enough by the results to plant six acres of his own, from which he produced a 1974 vintage. Gary Eberle planted syrah in Paso Robles at his family's Estrella River Vineyard in McDowell Valley Vineyards discovered a patch of old vines syrah on their Mendocino property in 1979.
Syrah forms intense wines, with deep violet, nearly black color, chewy texture and richness, and often alcoholic strength, with aromas that tend to be more spicy than fruity. Although plainly impacted by vineyard and appellation temperature, Syrah style is typically sumptuous and lavish.
Fruit: Black currant, blackberry
Herbal: Sandalwood, cedar Oak (light): vanilla, coconut, sweet wood
Spice: Black pepper, licorice, clove, thyme Oak (heavy): oak, smoke, toast, tar
Bottle Age: cedar, cigar box, earth, leather

5. France, Rhone Valley

6. South Australia

7. Chile, Argentina, Uruguay

8. Petite Sirah History 101
In the 1860s the French botanist François Durif kept a nursery of several grape varieties at his home in the commune of Tullins where he most likely had plantings of both Peloursin and Syrah. At some point the two vines cross pollinated and Durif discovered a new grape variety growing in his nursery. It was identified and named Plant du Rif (later Durif) by ampelographer Victor Pulliat in 1868.
DNA fingerprinting has shown that the majority of Petite Sirah plantings in California are actually Durif. Some vineyards were found to be a field blend of Durif and other varieties, such as Mondeuse noire, all labeled as "Petite Sirah". The vine is a popular planting in Lake, Mendocino, Sonoma, Napa, Monterey and San Joaquin County. In addition to being produced as a varietal wine, the grape is sometimes blended with Zinfandel.

9. Petite Sirah Characteristics
The "petite" refers to the size of its berries and not the vine, which is particularly vigorous. The grape forms tightly packed clusters that can be susceptible to rotting in rainy environments. The small berries create a high skin to juice ratio, which can produce very tannic wines if the juice goes through an extended maceration period. Using new oak barrels, the wine can develop an aroma of melted chocolate.
Petite Sirah produces dark, inky colored wines that are relatively acidic, with firm texture and mouth feel; the bouquet has herbal and black pepper overtones, and typically offers flavors of blue fruit, black fruit, plums, and especially blueberries. Darker and more purplish in color than syrah, and typically rounder and fuller in the mouth, and offers a brightness that Syrah lacks. The wines are very tannic and can sometimes be "short", hence the benefit of blending with another grape which may lack mid-palate depth, but add length and elegance.
Fruit: Blueberry, plum, dark berry
Herbal: Sandalwood, cedar Oak (light): vanilla, coconut, sweet wood
Spice: Black pepper, licorice, clove, thyme Oak (heavy): oak, smoke, toast, tar
Bottle Age: cedar, cigar box

10. Sonoma Alexander Valley Rockpile Dry Creek Valley Carneros
Russian River Valley

11. Lodi

12. Paso Robles

13. Flight 1 Descriptor 1 : TASTING NOTES
Offering a joyous explosion of color and fun, it is a substantial, dense, full-bodied, whopper style of wine loaded with pure black fruit and vanilla flavors that coat the palate. It reveals remarkable richness with a finish that is slightly dry and seems to linger. Blueberry, violet and plum. Chalky tannins give a smooth and seamless finish to this jumbo sized offering, leaving you wanting more.
Descriptor 2: TASING NOTES
Varietal aromas of plum, black tea and blueberry are lifted by barrel aging on the lees in a mix of American and French oak barrels. A touch of spicy white pepper on the palate opens up slowly to reveal baking spice and pomegranate fruit.
Descriptor 3: TASING NOTES
A wonderfully lifted nose brimming with fruit pastilles, a mixed bouquet of flowers and spicy, white pepper. Blackberry, plum, raspberry, spice, earth, and game. The palate shows an ample volume of fruit weight. Opulent, but checked by the powdery line of tannins that grow through the length of the wine, taking firm charge towards the finish. All the while, a raft of flavors ebb and flow met by hints of Autumn leaves and fresh soil which add complexity and interest. A fresh, lively and generous wine that would sit proudly beside some of its more expensive counterparts.

14. Flight 2 Descriptor 1 : TASTING NOTES
Enjoy this artful expression of voluptuous blackberry, blueberry and layered spice leading to a long, velvety finish.
Descriptor 2: TASING NOTES
A cuvee with a deep, garnet color and a flavor that is balanced in sweetness and tannins. Notes of dark berries predominate with hints of spices and cured meat. "Exhibits notes of olives, jammy cherries, cedar, fruitcake and underbrush. Medium-bodied and richly fruity, it is best drunk over the next 4-5 years."
Descriptor 3: TASING NOTES
The color is deep purple with ruby highlights. Ripe cherry and plum aromas are complemented by earthy undercurrents of smoky cocoa and cola, and highlighted by traces of citrus blossom and lemon. A very smooth mouthfeel glides into a long silky finish with flavors of red cherry and blackberry, hints of toasted vanilla, and a tantalizing slate element.

15. Flight 3 Descriptor 1 : TASTING NOTES
This wine has dark purple color. On the nose, it reveals aromas of licorice followed by the spices of cinnamon, black pepper and subtle floral overtones. On the palate, plums, blueberries and dark cherries are prominent. Finely tailored tannins and balanced finish.
Descriptor 2: TASING NOTES
Dude. OMG. This delectable wine exhibits blackberry liqueur, crème brûlée, coconut cream pie, black tea, orange zest and French vanilla. Patience truly pays off.  
Descriptor 3: TASING NOTES
Appearance is deep, almost black, garnet. Nose is classic varietal notes of dark berry fruit, licorice and smoke. Taste is medium bodied with velvety tannic presence. The finish is very long with spices, mineral notes and freshness. Enjoy now or cellar up to 12 years.

16. Flight 4 Descriptor 1 : TASTING NOTES
Rich and soft, dark as a black hole and concentrated. Filled with sumptuous flavors of boysenberry, dark cherry, and hints of smoked meats, violets and pepper.
Descriptor 2: TASING NOTES
Deep color and a bouquet of dark forest fruits with a hint of chocolate and vanilla in the background. This is a full bodied, richly flavored wine with soft, velvet tannins.
Descriptor 3: TASING NOTES
This is a growling beast of a wine, trained from birth to dominate the dining room table and chew up any wine glass it is poured into. The nose is oak-dominant with toasted spice and sweet vanilla that turn quickly into toasted caramel and burning chocolate. Flavors of dark fruit and creme de cassis turn are tucked into a tannic frame and a big lush body. This one has a smooth and boozy character that will please and delight any fan of New World wines.