Medium ruby out to slightly bricking edges. Barely staining. Massive sed. Intense green-woody briar after a bit of wet-concrete funk. Seriously, that is all the bouquet is: deep dark green wood conifer petrichor breathing out to fruit heady with mineral and ripe enough to head into almost-oxidized territory. The briar and spice keep everything on the bright side. I really didn’t set out to drink three older Syrahs in a row the past three days. It needs to stop, too–as the Pinot’s need serious attention. I drank one of these a couple weeks ago and that night it did not impress terribly so pulled the remaining bottle out for a re-visit. Pure concentrated–but fading–Syrah fruit, steely and bright but maintaining massive doses of tar and leather. Succinct and focused, never faltering into *issues* many grown South of there do. This thing picks a goal–a very Sonoma goal–and doesn’t stray far from it–fruit slightly faded and a like teensy patina but nothing even close to slowing down. Bitter tannins wrap things up with fruit a distant thin memory. 2006 Berthoud Syrah Sonoma Valley 13-8 ♦
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