Syrah Sierra Oaks Vineyard, El Dorado County
Our friend Mark Bunter, former winemaker at Tulocay, crafted this
wine through the 2004 vintage. Though he's since move to Virginia
(of all places), this is what he says about his handiwork:
"Powerful aroma of cherry pie with a note of licorice. In
the mouth, strong cherry flavor with a hint of smoky wild herbs.
Not filtered. Aged primarily in two-year-old French oak."
I tagged along with the boss one day to go see
this vineyard. Man, it's way up in the Sierra
foothills near a place called Mt.
Aukum above the Shenandoah Valley.
Rustic ain't the word.
Why this particular vineyard? Cuz it's the kind of place the boss
likes. Low key, high quality. And this spicy Syrah goes great with
high-powered, spicy cheeses like my current favorite, Carr
Valley Cranberry Chipotle Cheddar — YUM!
Which wine is right for you?
Both the 2001 and the 2002 are accessible right now. The first
is very French in style and is already throwing lots of sediment.
If you like complexity in Syrah, this is it.
The 2002 is more Californian — and of course it's one of our most
popular award-winners.
The nonvintage, a blend of the 2003 and 2004 vintages,
is still very closed, very young — almost like an alien monster
just waiting to come out of its shell. At 15.2% alcohol, it has
a long future ahead of it.
— Skippy, Chief Cellar Rat
Awards for the 2002 Tulocay Winery Sierra Oaks Vineyard, El Dorado
Syrah from the 2004
El Dorado County Fair:
- Best of Show (tie)
- Best Red Wine of Show, awarded by the El Dorado
Winery Association
- El Dorado Wine Grape Growers Association Award,
awarded to the Best Commercial wine produced from El Dorado or
Fair Play appellation grapes
- Best Wine in the Rhone category, awarded by
the Zachary Jacques Restaurant (tie)
2001 Syrah Sierra Oaks Vineyard, El Dorado County
“Deep cherry flavors with a subtle smokiness in the background.
Very good quality.” — Taste
California Travel
|
| "When
I was just a little girl,
I asked my mother,
'What will I be?
Will I be pretty?
Will I be rich?'
Here's what she said to me:
'Que sera, sera,
Whatever will be, will be;
The future's not ours to see.
Que sera, sera,
What will be, will be.'" — Sung by Doris
Day, written
by Jay Livingston and Ray Evans
"I knew Doris Day before she was a virgin." — Oscar
Levant
"Make mine sarsparilly!" — Doris Day in "Calamity Jane"
Doris Day: "You kissed me and I was thrilled!"
Rock Hudson: "A kiss? What does that prove?
It's like finding out you can light a stove. It doesn't make
you a cook." — From the film "Lover Come Back"
Rock Hudson: "Look, I don't know what's
bothering you, but don't take your bedroom problems out on me."
Doris Day: "I have no bedroom problems.
There's nothing in my bedroom that bothers me."
Rock Hudson: "Oh-h-h-h. That's too bad."
— From the film "Pillow Talk"
|
