~18US Northern Rhone Crozes-Hermitage - 100% Syrah

I found this Crozes-Hermitage on the bottom shelf at a nice wine shop while visiting my parents. Deep, opaque red, with a bricky fringe. The nose evolved over 3+ hours - through spicy, raspberry, and gamey (smoked wild boar?) aromas. On the palate - a warm-hearted and sturdy wine, well-built with firm tannins and soft acidity. Definitely a Syrah. The earthy- meaty flavors hit the palate before the fruit, with an old-world balance. Fairly interesting after opening up, and a fair match for grilled meats, but just not terribly exciting.

A solid, full-bodied Syrah with gamey notes; a great foil to try against the big Barossa and McLaren beasts from Oz.