Comments on: Syrah: beyond the fruit bomb

By: EricasChoice (Erica)

EricasChoice (Erica) — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 18:22:58 +0000

Twitter Comment

Nice recap of a Syrah wine tasting by Dr. Vino - Syrah: beyond the fruit bomb [link to post] #wine

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By: lara dunston

lara dunston — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 12:05:19 +0000

Wow! This is a surprise! It’s my first time in the USA in 17 yrs, so I have no idea about what people are drinking here, but I have to say that I don’t think Syrah has ever gone out of favour in Australia/Europe. The Coonawarra, one of Australia’s finest regions, produces some of the world’s best, and most delicious (peppery, berry-heavy) Syrahs. We like our wine big in Australia – full-bodied, rounded – we eat a lot of meat and Syrah is the perfect match.

By: Brad T.

Brad T. — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 23:26:21 +0000

I use to fish Skookum Inlet quite a bit back in the 80s and 90s and am very familiar with Walter Dacon’s wines from a couple of years ago.

Very well made wines using grapes from some of the best vineyards in the state.

By: Denise

Denise — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 19:59:56 +0000

If you love Washington Syrah you must try Walter Dacon Wines. They are lovely Rhone style Syrahs from different vineyards so you can experience the terroir difference and some are done in French oak, some in American as well. No, not representing the winery…. just thoroughly enjoy the wines from this boutique winery in Shelton, WA.

By: Sunnyinlosangeles

Sunnyinlosangeles — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 03:13:18 +0000

I really like Syrah however I really LOVE the rone wines from the Cornas region. Especially Auguste Clape’s wines. They are complex and layered but dont have the fruitbomb overbearing aspect that some Shirazs have…

By: tom merle

tom merle — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 01:08:17 +0000

Larry Schaffer’s Syrah/Petite Sirah combo poured at the Rhone Ranger festival was killer; maybe even best of show to this always humble palate. http://www.tercerowines.com/shop/2008-the-outlier/. The 2006 Syrah was also a standout.

By: Gary

Gary — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 12:21:11 +0000

Syrahs decline is a direct correlation to three factors:

1. Too many are overbearing fruitbombs, both California and Aussie. These are difficult to drink, much less pair with food.

2. Price: yes you can get some of the low cost Aussie varieties, but most stuff is $30 and up and in these times forget it. Not that I though these wines were worth it anyway.

3. Well made Syrah needs some patience to develop. I typically like to wait at least 4 years, but with early opening and decanting they can show pretty well in their youth.

To attract buyers, the whole concept of Syrah needs to be changed and must take on more of an “Old World” balanced style. The differences in how Syrah grows and its flavor profile from the different regions (Fr/Cali/Aus) etc.. needs to be in the wine to give the interest.

This coupled with a completely re-pricing structure is the only way to go. While the best examples of N. Rhone Syrah are ridiculous in price, there are well made examples that can be found in the under $30 category, and a few under $20. This would attract buyers.

By: Lynne Anderson

Lynne Anderson — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 17:52:14 +0000

Retailers in Manhattan that carry K Vintners’ wines:
Chelsea Wine Vault
Whole Foods
September Wines
Bottle and Soul
Green Grape
Alphabet City Wine Co
Donna Divine
Landmark
Grand Cru
Gnarly Vines
Big Nose Full Body
Vestry Wines

By: Tracy Ellen Kamens

Tracy Ellen Kamens — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 22:18:55 +0000

It’s interesting to hear that Syrah seems to be declining, at least in terms of retail sales, because I keep reading that it is becoming a popular addition to the vineyards in many of the New World wine regions, i.e. Chile, Argentina, New Zealand. Given that a lot of these are new plantings, it may take some time for them to gain interest and favor with consumers.

By: Brad T.

Brad T. — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 21:35:15 +0000

We need some kind of exchange program between Washington and New York so that we can get some of your icewines and we can send you what some (including Paul G.)say could someday become Washington’s signature black grape, Syrah.

I do have to admit though, that what you tasted was a good representation of styles in Syrah.

By: JR

JR — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 15:00:32 +0000

Not sure your assertion about Merlot’s “fall from grace” is supported by the facts. Nielsen says, among other things: “Merlot sales, measured in both dollars and volume, have grown steadily since “Sideways” was released in 2004″

Pinot sales are certainly up (from a low base) since 2004, and the result of that has been things like the alleged Red Bicyclette fraud and probably some unwise planting of the grape.

Here’s where I got the Nielsen quote:

http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/new-nielsen-study-reveals-positive-consumer-trends-for-merlot,1161415.shtml#ixzz0j6dNSHKr

By: larry schaffer

larry schaffer — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 00:13:12 +0000

Tyler,

You gonna be out at Rhone Rangers this weekend in San Francisco!??!? You’ll have plenty of great domestic syrahs from around the country to try, as well as all other rhone varieties . . .

I’ll be pouring my tercero wines, so if you do make it out, please make sure and drop by and sa hi!

Cheers!

By: Hugh Ammundsen

Hugh Ammundsen — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 20:26:55 +0000

Tyler
Very interesting tasting and thoughts on the market for syrah. I can give a New Zealand perspective as it is one of the varieities we are learning to make well. However, we have long struggled with the fact we are so very different to our neighbour, Australia. We long ago eschewed the name Shiraz for Syrah to reflect this. The New Zealand-style (or styles) are more peppery, as to be expected in a cooler climate, still pronounced fruit, more natural acidity. Quite different to most New World, in fact. However, Syrah is still a hard sell. I find it interesting, especially given a life time of lectures from France on terroir alongside criticisms of French non-varietal labels, that it is in grapes such as Syrah that French Rhone wines seem to hold up better in the market while the New World sinks.
I suspect you are on the money with your picks as to the reasons for the decline of Syrah,to which I would just add a degree of consumer confusion as to styles and what to expect with different wines from different states/countries. This is a graoe that has many voices. Equally I suspect that this is the kind of wake up call that will force growers and winemakers passionate about Syrah to stop treating it as an unsubtle muscle wine and sort out the styles that will really show it to advantage.

By: Jeff Zimmitti

Jeff Zimmitti — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 18:03:48 +0000

Nice picks for this line-up. We carry some of them and are fans.

I am not sure I agree completely on the decline of Syrah. I do believe that this belief is out there but I attribute demographics to some of that. In Los Angeles we have a very active and competitive market. I will admit that Syrah sales are mostly “handsell,” but I do find that when customers get a chance to try them, they look for more.

Some of the trouble so far has been so many different styles to choose from, which confuses the buyer. But I have found that with a focused and a conscientious salesman, Syrah sales are just fine.

The other big consideration is price. I sell a good amount of under $25 Syrah. Really any wine over $30 is tougher in today’s climate and Syrah at this price point is no different but to attribute a decline in Syrah by only looking at the higher pricepoints is not fair in this context.

Some of our favorite domestic producers are Carlisle, Copain, Ojai, Holus Bolus, Novy, Arcadian, Qupe, Ramey… to name just a few. The quality of domestic Syrah is excellent and I think as more people discover them the Syrah market share will be fine.

Best,

Jeff Zimmitti

By: Sander Fekkes

Sander Fekkes — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 17:55:07 +0000

I think Syraz is getting less popular because in the last few years, people like lighter reds better than the huge, heavy, dark, mean Syrazmachine. Nothing to do about it, but like the whole Anjou-rosé hype in the late 80′s, now it’s time for Gamay etc.

I bet that in 10 years, Syraz is enjoying full fame again!