2007 Stefania Syrah Eaglepoint Ranch

I really wish that I had something new to report on this wine, but botle after bottle is pretty much the same, and we still haven't come across a bad bottle of this yet.  In all actuality, this was the 8th bottle of this that we have burned through thus far, although, I only had a small sip from this bottle so the others could enjoy it.

Notes are similar to other bottles, with a nose of bright cherry, berries, pepper, and spice, a bit of vanilla and smoked oak.

On the palate, this was gorgeous once again considering it was popped and poured at room temp as this was pulled out of the cellar earlier in the day. Awesome cherry and spice are represented here, with some nice dark berries and a bit of mint. The spice on this wine is magnificent, and the light pepper is really nice. Hints of mocha and plum round out the palate, with a bit of earthiness, and this is just pure joy.  92 points! Cheers

2007 Stefania Syrah Eaglepoint Ranch

I wish I could report something different on this particular wine, and I wish I could come up with something bad to say about this wine, but words just cannot describe just how good this wine is for the money.  And to think that this is just a baby from 2007 is beyond me!

To think that the 2008's aren't even released yet, and the simple fact that we have already burned through 7 of these bottles is almost sickening.  The definitely have the guts to age for 5 plus years in the cellar is not more.  These wines will definitely get better with age as well, so how can these be drinking so good right now?  I wish I knew, because I would be making wine in this region as well!

I actually grabbed this by accident tonight, wanting to grab a 2006 to bring to West Side Gravy in Collingswood, NJ.  But when we got tothe restaurant and I reached into the Riedel carrier, I noticed it was a 2007, not that I was disappointed.

Notes are similar to other bottles, with a nose of bright cherry, berries, pepper, and spice, with a bit of vanilla and smoked oak. On the palate, this was gorgeous considering it was popped and poured at room temp as this was pulled out of the cellar earlier in the day.  Awesome cherry and spice are represented here, with some nice dark berries and a bit of mint. The spice on this wine is magnificent, and the light pepper is really nice. I am not a big fan of the over the top spicy, peppery syrah’s, and this is not the case here in the least. Hints of mocha and plum round out the palate, with a bit of earthiness, and this is just pure joy. Yet another winner from Paul and Stef, and we are look to them visiting NJ on September 11th, 2010.  If you are interested in meeting Paul and Stef, and tasting through their 2008 lineup, be sure to drop me an e-mail at njfoodies at gmail dot com.

In short, another wonderful bottle that is not disappointing in the least, and I really need toset up a mouse trap on these bottles so I quit grabbing them from the cellar! 92 points! Cheers!

2007 Stefania Syrah Eaglepoint Ranch

Popped and poured tonight after dinner at Veronica's in Haddonfield, NJ when we got home, and once again, another Stefania that did not disappoint!

This was our second bottle within a week, and I just cannot keep my hands off of this wine. At this point, the case and a ½ that we picked up was a mistake, and I should have picked up more as this is just drinking wonderfully, but it is still young. Regardless, give it an hour in the decanter, and it is ready to go! This was actually popped and poured at cellar temp, and showed well. On the nose, tons of bright cherry, berries, pepper, and spice, with a bit of vanilla and smoked oak.

On the palate, this was gorgeous. I think that serving it at cellar temp (55 degrees) really may help hide the youth of this wine, and I am not complaining in the least. Awesome cherry and spice are represented here, with some nice dark berries and a bit of mint. The spice on this wine is magnificent, and the light pepper is really nice. I am not a big fan of the over the top spicy, peppery syrah’s, and this is not the case here in the least. Hints of mocha and plum round out the palate, with a bit of earthiness, and this is just pure joy. Yet another winner from Paul and Stef! Look for them visiting the East Coast this fall! 92 points! Cheers!

2007 Stefania Syrah Eaglepoint Ranch

WOW! Has it really been a year since we last tried this vintage? Well, according to CellarTracker it has, and the last one we opened was on May 30th of 2009. My notes from then were that it was young, and needed some air, but once it opened, it was a joy. After re-reading that, I have to say that another year in the bottle has done this wine wonders.

Is it still very young? Absolutely! Is it perfect for a pop and pour right now? Not at all, but an hour or two in the decanter will do this wine absolute wonders. Nose of bright cherry and hints of plum, with subtle spice and peppers. Hints of creamy oak, vanilla sweetness, and the faintest bit of smoke round out the nose.

On the palate, this wine really opens up by the end of the first glass, and is absolute heaven. This is everything that I love about syrah, without that in your face overwhelming pepper. The pepper and spice seems to be very subdued, and I can really appreciate that with this wine. Hints of mocha really round out the palate, with a nice acidity, and a very pleasant finish, that is not hot in the least. Although this wine is still so young, I do not get any hotness from the alcohol, and the oak seems to be integrated nicely. Drink now or hold. Pop and pour or decant. Either way, I think you will be pleasantly surprised. 92 points, and I can see this wine continuing to evolve well beyond 3-5 years. 92 points. Cheers!