The 2008 Syrah Monteagrelo was aged in French and American oak for 15 months. Notions of sandalwood, lavender, smoked meat, and blueberry lead to an elegant style of Syrah with a smooth texture, good depth, and a seamless finish. Drink it over the next 6-8 years.
Wine Advocate (December 23rd 2011), 90pts
This opens with red fruit aromas that are wrapped around earth and leather scents, yielding a rustic whole. It feels snappy, with red fruit acidity leading to a gritty, lively palate, with flavors of brown sugar, red pepper, plum and raspberry. Long on the finish but short on texture.
Bright ruby-red. Slightly reduced aromas of medicinal dark cherry, licorice and cocoa powder. Round, plump and nicely sweet, but with a youthfully medicinal quality keeping the flavors under wraps today. More broad than deep--and a rather polite style of syrah. Finishes with tongue-dusting, slightly dry tannins and good length.
Tanzer's International Wine Cellar (Issue 167, March/April 2013), 88 pts
The 2009 Monteagrelo Syrah has a gregarious, blueberry and boysenberry-scented bouquet with touches of mint and fennel. The palate is medium-bodied with sturdy tannins, plenty of earthy, mulberry and dark plum fruit and a structured finish that suggests this could age well over 5-6 years. Drink now-2018.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (Issue 203, October 2012), 89 pts
"Raspberry, vanilla and toast are the lead aromas on this mouthfilling Syrah. A flavor profile led by woodspice and blackberry offers lesser red-fruit notes, while the finish is chewy and ripe, with flavors of chocolate, nutmeg and vanilla. This is New World, warm-climate Syrah all the way."
- Wine Enthusiast (May 2015), 89 pts
- Wine Enthusiast (May 2017), 89 pts
