I heard today is National Red Wine Day.  And it’s Wine Wednesday!  I love every type of wine and tend to drink mostly white wines due to allergies.  However, my favorite single varietal is Syrah.  There was one time when my wine collection had a ridiculous amount of Syrahs.  I’ve been told Syrah is a “wine drinker’s wine,” so this makes sense.  It seems it doesn’t tend to sell well in general.  Syrah is not a well-known varietal to those who don’t drink wine regularly,

Syrah is big and bold.  It’s an action-packed wine, filled with great fruit flavors, along with some spice.  It is definitely not a wine for those who want something that is simply easy drinking.  This may be one reason it’s not known well.  However, I like full-bodied wines.  I enjoy the character of them and the feeling that there is a story in every glass.

The wine I chose to feature today was given to me by a dear friend when I had to cancel a wine trip to Paso Robles.  She brought this back for me, and I’ve been waiting for exactly the right occasion to drink it.  National Red Wine Day seems like a good excuse…

Details:

2014 Sextant “Portolan”

100% Syrah

Paso Robles, CA

USA

Tasting Notes:

Upon opening up this bottle, the crimson waxed cork is just a hint of what is to come. Deep purple crushed velvet in a glass, this wine is thick and syrupy, with long, luxurious legs.  Aromas of boysenberries, leather, sugared cherries, and violets await, as a silky mouthfeel, with flavors of blueberry, mint, cassis, and cinnamon greet the palate.  Like a lover’s kiss, the finish lingers, with beautiful, balanced acid.  Soft tannins dance lightly on the tongue and teeth, teasing, tantalizing, leaving the drinker to simply want more.

Details:

“Portolan” is Sextant Wines “wildcard.”  They select the most interesting Rhone varietal in the vineyard each year.  This vintage is 100% Syrah, single block, single varietal.