Cline Cool Climate Syrah 2005

Cline Sonoma Coast Cool Climate Syrah 2005 Syrah 99% Zinfandel 1%; 13,5% abv; 15,81€; 14 months in French barriques with 25% of them new; from: 23 ha Lazy ‘C’ is situated in Stage Gulch in the Wildcat mountains in the southern part of Sonoma and 14 ha Lazy ‘P’ northwest of Lazy ‘C’ (wow! for once Alko gives us some information about the wines! ).

The scent is very in-your-face, but for such a style of wine it is a pleasure to finally have something in my face that I like! It is animal and slightly peppery, gamy/bloody like a N. Rhône Syrah and with a perfumed Oolong Tea-like/peach kernel perfume - but all these scents are shoved up my nostrils and they ask in a loud voice: "are you sure you notice me?". But I don't mind that as I like these scents. Too often I find that "in-your-face" wines are jammy and oaky and inky, but instead this really did have aromas that I would expect from N. Rhône. There is a slight blueberry/oak note also, but I can block that out and concentrate on what I like (i.e. this probably isn't over-oaked for most people).

Full bodied, dark fruit, a bit soft - I wouldn't mind a bit more tannins -, but moderate in acidity. It is refreshing enough though not strongly structured. This really isn't a bad drop. I only had a tasting sample (c. 5cl) but based on that I think I could actually drink and enjoy a couple glasses of this without getting tired. At this price, I will buy a bottle to try at home with food.

I have never before heard of this producer. In what sort of regard is it held by those who like Californian wines? I was a bit surprised to see "cool climate" on the label - is there a general trend away from huge, unctuous, sickeningly sweet wines? Or is this a wine aimed at the geek market? What is that 1% Zinfandel doing in this?