Cassini Cellars 2008 Syrah - 89pts

Cassini Cellars 2008 Syrah (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here and select VQA stores
Cost: $34
Alcohol: 14.8%
Production: 367 cases
Date Tasted: January 24th, 2011
Re-tasted: June 4th, 2013

Tasting Notes: The Cassini Cellars Syrah is a monster. An intense, extracted, powerful, spicy, dark fruit monster that also manages to deliver delicate notes of vanilla and sagebrush on the impressive and layered nose. With good continuity from the complex nose to the dry palate, the flavour profile oozes brooding, dark cherry and black berry fruits with savoury flavours of spice box, licorice, scorched earth and toasted oak.

I would love to see winemaker and proprietor Adrian Capeneata experiment with a touch of Viognier in a future release of this wine. The earthiness he has managed to capture in his Syrah is a unique trademark that would blend nicely with 2-3% of Viognier. In the meantime, enjoy this release over the next 4-5 years. Drink 2011-2016.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2011 IconWines.ca

Re-tasting Notes: Nose remains intact with monstrous dark fruit and lots of oak influence. The palate is reaching its peak with the finish starting to fade. Though, while its alive in your mouth you're treated to intense and flavourful, dark berry and earth characters. Drinking window needs to be adjusted and I can't help but point to the synthetic cork for robbing this delicious Syrah of its longevity. Since the 2009 vintage, Cassini has moved back to cork for their big reds which will help with aging. Drink now-2014.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2013 IconWines.ca