2002 Orion Syrah
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Tasting notes
(14.5% alcohol): Bright ruby-red. Highly nuanced nose combines black raspberry, pungent eucalyptus, pine resin, mocha, espresso and leather. Sweet, dense and fine-grained but youthfully tight and powerful today, almost aggressive. Shows a slightly liqueur-like quality that may have come from some dehydrated berries. The fruit is in the background today but this mouthfilling wine boasts broad, integrated tannins and the rising finish conveys a strong impression of energy. Needs more time in bottle to harmonize its superripe and resiny qualities.
Critic scores
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
(from Rossi vineyard in St. Helena Deep ruby-red. Fasten your seat belts) red berries, Grand Marnier, Thai basil, geranium, eucalyptus, bitter lime, quinine and resiny oak on the nose. Then thick and dense but penetrating in the mouth, with primary raspberry and strawberry flavors complicated by an exotic apricot note and framed by lively acids. A fascinating, firmly built wine that showed a compelling sweetness as it opened in the glass. Finishes with very sweet tannins and impressive persistence. My score is intended for the initiated: you know who you are.
A riveting example of Syrah is the 2002 Orion. It boasts a black/purple color with more mint and blackberry notes intermixed with exotic floral characteristics. With great intensity, full body, multiple dimensions, and superb purity as well as length, this blockbuster is incredibly well-balanced/harmonious. It should drink reasonably well young, yet keep for 12-15 years. Tel. (415) 868-1781