I received this as part of
Hedges Family Estate Balanced Reds Collection II Mixed Wine Pack, 6 x 750 mL as a holiday gift from a friend. The wines in this set are nothing like their California cousins. For one thing they are a little higher in alcohol content, and for another they are not as fruity as other wines from just about any other region I have tried. If you are expecting a rich, fruity wine this one (or the others from this vintner) may not be to your taste.
This one is a deep color that is almost black. It needs to breathe or be aerated before serving. As soon as you open it the flavor is similar to an old style Chianti with a pronounced brick taste. As the wine opens the blackberry and - to my palate - cardamom and some other ineffable spices start to dominate. At the twenty-four hour mark it takes on a tart cherry flavor (I used a vacuum stopper to seal the bottle during this period).
Also, this one has a smooth finish that allows it to pair with some dishes. That sets it apart from the
Cabernet Sauvignon that was also included in the set of wines. That one would not pair well with anything making it more of a vino da meditazione. I was able to perfectly pair this with both a bucatini alla carbonara, as well as various cheeses ranging from gorgonzola to brie. Much to my surprise this seems to pair well with dishes that contain dairy, and I suspect it would complement red meat dishes too.
Bottom line: this is not a typical Syrah if you are accustomed to California wines. It takes some getting used to, but it grows on you when paired with the right foods.
