92 pts. - www.TheRhoneReport.com, November 2010
91 pts. - Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, May/June 2010
91 pts. - California Grapevine, October-November 2010
90 pts. - Wine Spectator, June 2010
90 pts. - Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wine, July 2010
Every year around this time we start seeing articles about how this year is finally the year that Syrah is going to take off with the drinking public, and assume its rightful place alongside Cabernet and Pinot Noir in consumer’s hearts. And every year, while Syrah maintains its loyal band of devoted followers, it never seems to catch on more broadly. In a way, this is a shame as there are now producers making phenomenal Syrah up and down the California coast and in Washington State. On the other hand, this means that Syrah remains a real bargain in the fine wine world, with all but a handful of cult wines available for under $50, and many fabulous wines for even less. Today we were lucky enough to snare the last few cases of the 2007 Eric Kent “Kalen’s Big Boy Syrah”, from a producer recently named by the Connoisseur’s Guide Charlie Olken as one of the California Syrah producers making “great Syrahs.”
The Kalen’s Syrah is blended each year from Eric Kent’s finest barrels of Syrah, resulting in an expression of the best the vintage has to offer.The 2007 Eric Kent “Kalen’s Big Boy” Syrah is sourced from vineyards in Dry Creek and Bennett Valley, resulting in a wine that captures elements of both warmer and cooler climate Syrah. Dark purple in the glass, the nose is loaded with raspberry, blackberry, black licorice, cherry, black pepper and mocha aromas. The palate offers plum and blueberry flavors, along with spicy, smoky notes. Full bodied yet with plenty of acidity, lively fruit and a long, spicy finish, this one is sure to satisfy fans of full bodied red wines looking for a wine with the balance to pair gracefully with plenty of food options. This would be perfect with pork loin with a berry reduction, or with a pizza with plenty of basil. This wine sells out to the mailing list most years, so take advantage of this chance to get in on one of the few cases to make it to retail sales, at a price you won’t find anywhere else!
Drinking Window: Prime drinking: 2011 to 2013 Graceful ageability: 2015+
Vintage: 2007
Varietal: Syrah
Appellation: Sonoma County
pH: 3.62
TA: 6.4 g/L
Alcohol: 14.9%
Bottling Date: March 23, 2009
Retail Release: Spring 2010
Total Produced: 293 cases
95 Points
Entices with aromas of Bing cherry, raspberry, and cedar spice. Indicative of the cool vintage, the wine carries a freshness throughout. The palate offers a harmonious balance between bright red fruit, spice, and nicely woven tannins.
93 Points
Aromas of blackcurrant, dark plum, and cedar unfold alongside soft notes of vanilla and toasted oak. On the palate, structured tannins frame layers of black cherry, baking spice, and a subtle herbal lift from the Merlot blended beneath the Cabernet's backbone. Medium-bodied gem with good concentration finishing long and warm, with lingering impressions of cocoa and dried fig.
94 Points
Decadent, rich, and supple. Aromas of black cherry, dark chocolate, crushed stone, dried herbs, and cedar lead into layered notes of cassis, fennel, baked plums, mocha powder, and cigars dusted with roasted Herbs de Provence, earth and red volcanic mineral notes. Full-bodied and rich, with a firm spine of racy acidity and ultra-fine, gravelly tannins that carry the lasting, mouthwatering finish.
94 Point Vintage
Deep garnet core with an elegant ruby-brick rim—a striking sign of its library maturity. Aromas of black cherry, cassis, and macerated blackberry, seamlessly transitioning into sophisticated layers of cedar, graphite, crushed violet, and cured tobacco. A savory accent of bay laurel, cocoa nib, and warm earth adds impressive intrigue. The palate delivers dense dark fruit framed by velvety, melted tannins and vibrant acidity that keeps the wine lifted and fresh. Finishes long and seamlessly, lingering with espresso, black plum, aged leather, and a fine crushed-stone minerality.
Exceptional
In the glass this wine open with aromas of ripe black cherry, bark, cedar, dried orange peel, a touch of black pepper. The palate equally rich with flavors expanding into notes of fresh picked cherry, chocolate, and crushed stone and a touch of white pepper. Together, these lavish flavors, coupled with an elegant mouthfeel and a long engaging finish make a fantastic wine.
96 Points
Aromas of Bing cherry, raspberry liqueur, and purple flowers drive the nose of this energetic Syrah which is co-fermented with a whisper of Viognier. Gracing the palate are dark berries, plum, blackberries, peppercorns, hints of sweet tobacco, and well-positioned oak spice with plush acid and rich tannin peaking through the finish.
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