2006 VERGE Wine Cellars Syrah

Mission Codename: The Verge of Greatness

Operative: Agent Red

Objective: Respond to reports that Verge Wine Cellars has crafted a remarkable Syrah. If reports are accurate, secure a quantity for our Operatives

Mission Status: Accomplished

Current Winery: VERGE Wine Cellars

Wine Subject: 2006 Syrah Dry Creek Valley

Winemaker: Mike Brunson

Backgrounder: Syrah is the sole grape used to make the world famous Rhône wines of Côte Rotie and Hermitage. I is also the primary component of most Rhône blends, including Chateauneuf du Pape. In Australia, the wine is called Shiraz. In California, Syrah runs the gamut between classic French style and the over-the-top styles of Australian Shiraz. We Spies prefer California Syrah as they tend to find a great balance between these, but also offer the unique characteristics that only California fruit can deliver… and today’s wine DELIVERS!

Wine Spies Tasting Profile:

Look – Deep burgundy to purple with a deep and inky heart of purple, a bouncy surface and thick legs that move slowly down the glass

Smell – Beautifully and richly aromatic with a unique blend of spicy earth, black currant, pomegranate, forest floor, dusky earthen chocolate, and a hint of pencil lead and smoky meats

Feel – Supple, wet and big, mouth-coating with great medium structured tannins and a cheek drying pucker!

Taste – Delicious layers of flavors, including dark mixed berry, black cherry, darkest plum, dusted dark chocolate, blueberry and subtle but lush lavender

Finish – Juicy, rich, mouth-coating, and delicious with structured tannins and flavors that linger and linger and linger…

Conclusion – This is a great and BIG and delicious Syrah. Decant for best results. On opening this wine, the nose was superb but on first sip I was worried about its heat and intensity. After a few hours, the wine transformed and became fantastic. This is big Syrah, to be sure, but its also a very unique and balanced wine with incredible aromas and flavors. Way to go Mike and Jay! Keep making great wines…

Mission Report:

Once upon a time there was a Dragon and a princess. The dragon was very grumpy because ninjas had kidnapped his winemaker.

When the Princess learned of this she sent her army of mutant pygmy unicorns to rescue the winemaker, in order to restore the dragon’s happiness – which in turn would ensure the safety and happiness of her people.

For 80 days and 80 nights, the mutant pygmy unicorns scoured the lands, but were ultimately unsuccessful in locating the winemaker. The Princess, driven to take drastic measures, consulted with the wise wizard.

The wise wizard declared that they were on the verge of finding the winemaker and that they should not give up on their quest.

Verge… Verge…

I awoke with a start, the word Verge echoing in my head. Aw, crud! I was late for the tour and tasting I had scheduled with with Verge Cellars partners Mike and Jay.

Both exceptionally great guys, I crossed my fingers in hope that they would not be missed at my tardiness. 30 minutes later I arrived for the vineyard tour and tasting. They ribbed me for a while, but that was all in fun. Besides, these guys have known me long enough to earn the right to rib.

We spent much of the day walking the vineyard, discussing their winemaking ways, enjoying their very unique and very delicious Syrah, and, finally, enjoying a big fat BBQ lunch – which was a perfect compliment to their stupendous wine.

Of note about this wine is that it loves to breath. Open it, decant it for a few hours and you’ll have a better wine on you hands than you tasted on first opening. The aromas mellow, the fruit emerges and the flavors become more balanced and delicious. We recommend at least two hours of decant for maximum enjoyment. As an experiment, I also tried this wine after 8 hours – and it was superb. While not necessary, and certainly not always convenient, decant is recommended.

The Wine Spies love this wine. Get some, before we run out!