Pax Alder Springs Vyd. Syrah 2003 (Mendocino County)

Saturated purple/red.

Deep, melted licorice, menthol, dried fig aromas. Like smelling a reduction sauce in the pan - not fresh, but not cooked - with some lift.

Huge, mouth-coating impression. A very slight suggestion of alcohol, but the density, breadth and expressiveness in the mouth blows by it. Typical Pax grainy texture, with low acidity. The nose shows in the flavors that run the length of the court. I can see this adding nuance with even more bottle time, unlike the Mitolo.

This rocks, distinctive and loaded.

Day 3 - Low-toned, oozer of a nose - menthol/licorice/fig reduction. Almost identical in the mouth, massive, but shows some reasonable complexity. In complete contrast to the Mitolo. Great chewy, expressive, length.

16.3% alcohol

$60