Syrah – 2006; Texas Hills Vineyard; Johnson City, Texas

A well-aged red wine can bring many pleasures to those who can wait. The patience is worth its weight in wine barrels. This wine jewel has an added uniqueness that is incredibly pleasing to the eye and soul. A fantastic wine label and a great personal story. The art work on the label is fabulous. It depicts how the owners met while an artist was painting. A great story! Being able to bring that personal touch to the story of this winery and wine, adds additional character and charm. As for the wine itself, superb! After sitting around a dozen years, this intense Syrah can still hold its own. The grapes are estate and reflect the love and commitment the owners have in their work. The color has diminished by about 25%. The fruit forward aromas still held well. At first taste, it appeared that some of the fruit forward notes may have diminished by half, but what remains is still quite enjoyable. A touch of tobacco, a touch of leather, and still offered a great mouth feel. The tannins are still showing a nice long-lasting finish. There are no signs of turning, so this bottle could still hold up well for several more years. Yes, some sediment is present, but that’s where the “vitamins” are located! This is one of those wines that will reminds you why it’s nice to occasionally pop the cork on a beautiful red during the summer because it provides not only enjoyment in the glass, but in the journey to make it. Enjoy well and cheers!

www.texashillsvineyard.com