Back on for Aussies at Erte. ----- Forwarded message from "Jim L. Ellingson" <jellings(a)me.umn.edu> ----- From: "Jim L. Ellingson" <jellings(a)me.umn.edu> To: wine(a)thebarn.com Subject: [wine] Erte is Postponed. Nothing this week. On Mon, Apr 19, 2004 at 04:55:53PM -0500, Jim L. Ellingson wrote: Lori Bob Betsy Russ McC Nine Syrahs and Shirazes for $17 or Less Compare and contrast this rich red at affordable prices The Syrah grape, also known as Shiraz, hails from France, though it now appears in wine regions worldwide. Syrah typically yields full-bodied wines, but it has a fruit-forward nature that helps to make it more approachable than other big reds. Along with pronounced fruit, textbook Syrah has a spicy side as well as a range of flavors that includes chocolate, coffee, herbs and a gamy note. Here is a selection of well-priced Syrah and Syrah blends from around the world. -- Alison Napjus Wine Score Price DELHEIM Shiraz Simonsberg-Stellenbosch 2001 90 $17 If you can get past the funk up front, there's a wall of chocolate, raspberry and blackberry flavors here, with roasted coffee, game and sweet earth as well. Powerful finish sports pepper, herbs and dried fruit notes, with a great twang of minerally acidity as well. Great sauvage-style Syrah. From South Africa. Drink now through 2006. 7,500 cases made. -- J.M. NINTH ISLAND Shiraz Limestone Coast 2001 89 $16 Bright and generous, loaded with blackberry and green peppercorn aromas and flavors that remain vibrant through the juicy finish. From Australia. Drink now through 2007. 2,500 cases imported. -- H.S. THREE RIVERS River's Red Columbia Valley 2001 89 $15 Lithe, almost lean, and lively with blueberry, blackberry and hazelnut flavors that mingle intriguingly as the finish persists. Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. From Washington. Drink now through 2007. 1,320 cases made. -- H.S. E.B. FOOTE Syrah Columbia Valley Graves Vineyard 2002 88 $16 Bright, almost crisp in texture, a distinctively jazzy style with red berry and pomegranate flavors wrapped in fine tannins, echoing nicely on the finish. From Washington. Drink now through 2006. 258 cases made. -- H.S. HILL OF CONTENT Shiraz West Australia-South Australia 2001 88 $13 Smooth, velvety, with pretty blueberry notes hiding under a veil of fine-grained tannins and emerging on the refined finish. Best from 2005 through 2010. 2,000 cases imported. -- H.S. SIMONSIG Shiraz Stellenbosch 2001 88 $14 Distinctly sauvage in style, with herb, pepper and game notes weaving through the supple black cherry and currant fruit. Has muscular tannins providing grip on the finish. From South Africa. Drink now through 2005. 10,000 cases made. -- J.M. WATER WHEEL Shiraz Bendigo 2001 88 $15 A bit grainy in texture, with nicely formed blueberry and plum flavors poking through a layer of firm tannins, finishing with harmony. From Australia. Best from 2005 through 2010. 10,000 cases made. -- H.S. GRANT BURGE Shiraz Barossa Barossa Vines 2001 87 $10 Ripe and spicy, thick with cherry, orange peel, dusky spice and toasty flavors, mingling nicely as the flavors sail through the finish. From Australia. Drink now through 2006. 20,000 cases made. -- H.S. MADISON Shiraz California 2002 87 $10 Juicy and youthful, with a burst of blueberry, raspberry jam, black currant and floral flavors. Oak accents and soft structure shape the finish. Drink now through 2005. 1,206 cases made. -- J.L. -- ------------------------------ * * Dr. James Lee Ellingson, Adjunct Professor jellings(a)me.umn.edu * * University of Minnesota, tel: 651/645-0753 fax 651 XXX XXXX * * Great Lakes Brewing News, 1569 Laurel Ave., St. Paul, MN 55104 *