Carlisle, Sonoma County, Syrah 2002

Opaque purple.

Toasty oak, menthol, figs, smoked ham and herbs on the nose.

Round, creamy in the mouth, just a hint of textural sweetness. Flavors follow from the nose, adding a note of tar. Acid-driven structure cuts into, buts does not kill, the finish. Despite listed 15.9% alcohol, I get no overt heat. This is RGS. Mike Officer is apparently a huge fan of Barossa Shiraz. But I get far more complexity here than most of the stuff I've had from Barossa.

Day 3- Less interesting on the nose - spicy/peppery/menthol - but more integrated. Really sweet in the mouth now. I think I'd drink this over the next 2-3 years.

$45