2006 Rosenblum Cellars Syrah & Shiraz (Other than French) "Kick Ranch Reserve"

Winery: Rosenblum Cellars

Vintage: 2006

Wine Name/Vineyard: "Kick Ranch Reserve"

Wine Category: Syrah & Shiraz (Other than French)

Grape blend: 100% Syrah

Region: Sonoma County

State or country: CA

Price: $45

Cases produced: 960

KWG Score: 87.5 (based on 2 reviews)

Ken's Wine Rating: Very Good+ (90)

Review date: February 3, 2010

Wine Review: This very dark purple colored Syrah finished in second place in our big blind tasting. It was my personal favorite on the evening. It opens with a ripe blackberry bouquet with notes of tobacco and oak. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied, balanced, and polished. The flavor profile is a tasty mild blackberry with a touch of oak and cherry vanilla mixed in. The finish is dry and its fine tannins drift away nicely. The panel felt his finesse Syrah offering from Rosenblum would pair well with filet mignon. Enjoy - KWGTP

Winemaker Notes: Dick and Kathy Keenan grow these grapes (along with a kickin' Petite Sirah) just outside of Santa Rosa. The soil type is reminiscent of that in the Northern Rhone Valley and the wine tastes like it might be a Cote Rotie or Cornas from that part of France. All kinds of meaty goodness drip from this glass-bacon and smoked ham hock, to name a few - along with notes of white pepper, bing cherries, blueberries, and plums. This behemoth of a wine has something for everyone.

Organic status: not organic