2006 Smoking Loon Syrah, California $10
This grape has found its footing with the US market in the past 5 years and we are seeing some exceptional examples of this grape being produced. Aromas full of dark jam and spice fill the glass, leading into a flavor ladden silky fruit explosion. The flavors were exceptional, blueberries, cocoa powder, and hints of rosemary fill the mouth. The finish allows all these flavors to glide accross the tongue and subtle hints of white pepper, raspberry jam and clove finish out the tasting experiance.
This wine is soft enogh to stand up to firm fish such as shark, tuna, and sword, and big enough to handle steak or wild game. A great pairing we tried was blackened tuna steaks topped with a strawberry cilantro salsa. It soulnds pretty wierd but the sweetness of berries with the heat of the spice, allowed the fruit to shine through in each sip. If beef is more your style than grilled steaks plain or with a reduction sauce would compliment this wine perfectly.
This is a new label for this winery, so if you are used to the big loon on the old label take note of the new look. This wine is the brian child of the Sebastiani clan; Don, August, and Donny, representing the third and fourth generation of this great winemaking family. With Smoking Loon they wanted to make exceptional examples consistantly year after year. They source their fruit to ensure from different vineyards to ensure the highest quality grapes and consistant flavors.
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