improving
01/20/2012
by brower13654983
Fist tasted this wine six months ago and it seemed a bit young and did not stand up to the 07. We drank a bottle the other day and it has matured to a an incredible smooth mouthful with just the right finely tannic finish. Really fine, beautiful.
Bite, stuff, and smack - then let 'er sit
12/12/2011
by Pizarro14005221
Sit on this one until fall 2013. It is all there in bottle, richer yet lighter fruits than the 2008, but not as 'ready now' as it's predecessor. Felt like I bit my belt, filled my mouth with fresh summer blackberries, and smacked myself in the face with a freshly hewn white oak board - a lot going on here, but still discombobulated and alcohol is running helter-skelter in mouth.
Lots of alcohol initially, needed 45min to compose. Blackberry, oak, and a little raspberry, hint of black cherry. In mouth alcohol ebb and flow, blackberry and rhubarb, little fall earth, some quince, faint hints of green Italian spices. Finished with BI oaken tannins, long tannic roller coaster with leather, some dried black fruit. Be patient with this vintage; it is coming together and will hold once it does. 90/B
Great value - consistent quality
11/04/2011
by ColverCellars
Keep buying this juice... has become the house syrah for great value across the vintages and product line. Great nose - full, fresh. Deep purple color with a little tannin backbone, cassis and leather undertones - suprisingly complex for value-priced wine.
Buying more
09/06/2011
by Heffernan14008650
We went through the case from the first offering of Stolpman Estate Syrah. Delighted to have the chance to buy more.
another stellar vintage
05/05/2011
by cas47
Stolpman strikes again. Might be the best Syrah producer in CA right now. My boyfriend and I buy the estate bottling every year. Our favorite is still the Originals but this wine was a knockout.
Can't be beat for the money
04/12/2011
by HED3
Another great example of how good the Syrah is getting in SBC. Smooth and elegant and ready to drink now. I hope I can save some to see how it tastes in a year. Blew through half a case already it's just that good.
Very nice Syrah!
05/09/2013
by Fannin10580945
This has not changed very much in the last year, but it does seem a little more open knit and willing to express itself. Excellent fruit complicated by road tar and floral notes, together with forest floor. Very full and smooth finish. Not quite a five yet, but it will get there.
Outstanding value
08/18/2012
by Summit650
Very few examples of Syrah of this quality at this price point. Would definitely purchase again.
Nice wine needing bottle age
05/12/2012
by Fannin10580945
This is rather reticent initially and only begins to come out to play after half an hour. By an hour in glass, it is beginning to show forest floor and road tar, along with more floral notes. By three hours, it is fuller, fruitier and smoother. I think I'll put the remaining half bottle or so in the cellar overnight to see what happens, but I think it is going to need 1-3 years to rival the '06 Crane Brothers or, especially, the '05 Bugay. The 2010 offer which came out today is tempting, but it's hard to know I'll live long enough to see it in its prime. Decisions, decisions....
Nice Syrah
04/29/2012
by Rasche13646942
Medium body, gorgeous nose, good fruit on the finish, high acidity. A solid value but the high acidity requires careful pairing with food.
last note mistakenly entered
04/20/2012
by Dushw13932650
clicked too fast last time. wine is great
Give it Time
03/19/2012
by Munson14159364
This starts out with nice development of flavors and then gets monster big. It has terrific potential and I look forward to tasting it in the months and year(s) (if I can wait) to come. This can stand and will benefit in being held for a bit.
03/09/2012
by Husock13654407
Complex blueberry nose showing vanilla and flowers. Smooth with taut balancing acid. Fine tannins have good presence. Tarter red fruit in the mouth with some cranberry. A little bitter. Has a nice energy to the acid but surprisingly tart.
More time
02/18/2012
by Snider13802698
I opened and had a glass and it was not ready. Came back a few hours latter and it was much better. Currently I would rate it a 3 but with in 6 month to a year it might be a 5. I will put it in the basement for now.
One of the better Syrahs
11/08/2011
by Fox12689632
Very good purple color with a pleasing full bodied taste.
Notes
07/27/2011
by Trifon13744133
Notes
Consistent delight
06/01/2011
by Heffernan14008650
Stolpman always produces a fine wines. This is one of them.
So good, so good...
05/05/2011
by asr12577007
30 minutes after cracking this wine and it was hitting every note. Mouthfilling dark fruit with intensity and finesse. Was spending $20 more on another Syrah until I stumbled upon these guys. Downright delightful.
Lucious
04/04/2011
by Pleman13827194
Just keeps getting better & deeper the more you drink. A wonderful wine.
The Contender
03/30/2011
by Wine10698456
I am a huge fan of this wine, having bought the '07, '08 and now the '09 "Estate/Santa Ynez," as well as some Hilltops. I gave the '09 four stars rather than 5 only because it seems not quite as good (yet) as the amazing '07, which is a tough act to follow. I am hoping (and confident) the '09 will get there with a year or two in the cellar.
overated
03/17/2012
by Sommers14061023
alot of hype for a middle of the road offering
Disappointing
03/06/2012
by LeNoach11797009
I let the wine sit/recover for over two weeks after shipping, but was left underwhelmed when I tasted the first bottle. The color is a beautiful dark maroon raspberry, but the fruit is undistinguished and lacking complexity, there is a tannic streak to the mid-palate, and the finish is unremarkable. A day later it improved only slightly. I have 5 bottles to go, so I'll let them sit a while and hope for improvement. So far I would say it doesn't stack up well against $11-14 CA Syrah.
Ho-Hum
02/22/2012
by Richardson14217138
Just average, did not live up to the hype
Needs time to come around
02/21/2012
by Price14019279
I was a bit disappointed in the 09 after the past two exceptional vintages from Stolpman. The backbone and complexity I was expecting is masked, leaving the mouthfeel a bit flabby. Nice fruit, so I am hoping another 6 month will bring the wine around to the fullness and richness more typical of this syrah.
Below expectations
03/15/2012
by burns14172058
Not as marketed. Too dry, no nose, light fingers, poor flavor, not as marketed.
Dirt
11/03/2012
by Mighion13373359
Earthy would be a nice way to describe this. We can only drink this very, very cold. Not anything like other Stolpman wines. Won't even give this away.
