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Releasing the Monkey in a Bottle – Episode 83

April 11, 2013 in Videos

Pouring another Colorado wine in this week’s episode, this time from the Infinite Monkey Theorem winery out of Denver. Definitely a wine you should check out if you are looking to try a Colorado wine. An important note though: I mention the wine is a blend of Petit Verdot, but after recording the episode I was chatting with the IMT folks and found out it is actually a Petite Sirah / Syrah blend.

The Infinite Monkey Theorem Wine

The Blind Watchmaker
$25

Sight: More purple than ruby with plenty of glass staining

Nose: More Earth driven than fruit driven with notes of black tea, cranberry, blueberry, dirt, green pepper, pencil shavings, and pine cones.

Palate: More fruit driven initially than Earth driven compared to what showed in the nose. Initial attack showing notes of cranberry, raspberry, and blueberry. The mid-palate transitions to a more Earthy focus with notes of black tea, dirt, and pencil shavings, and as the wine finishes I was even getting a sense of cocoa or chalkiness.

Overall I really enjoyed this wine: 89 points.

Check out the Stay Rad wine blog for a review of the IMT Cab Franc.

Tags: Colorado wine, infinite monkey theorem, petit sirah, syrah
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Wine Scores and a Syrah – Episode 78

February 28, 2013 in Videos

In this episode I take a few minutes to speak my mind on wine scores and the best way to find wines you will enjoy. From there I move on to tasting the 2005 Selby Syrah, enjoy.

The Wine Score Rant

Just about everyone that drinks, blogs, tastes, or thinks about wine has an opinion on wine scores and how valid they are to consumers. And while wine scores are an easy punching bag for any number of reasons, the bottom line is they are an invaluable tool for wine makers, wine sellers, and honestly wine bloggers. The trick to using wine scores effectively is to find that writer that scores wine similarly to what you enjoy. So if you try wines that are highly scored and you don’t like them, you now know that you shouldn’t rely on that particular wine writer in the future. Alternatively if someone scores a wine high and love it, continue to seek out the wines that writer scores highly. And as I have stated before, the very best way to find the best wines for you is to find a local wine shop and find someone at that establishment that shares your growing palate. This will give you someone to talk wine with and they will learn what you like and don’t like and will be able to match wines to your likes and dislikes.

The Syrah

I have had the fortune to meet winemaker Susie Selby a couple of times now, and I have always enjoyed those opportunities. It is always a double bonus because I think her wines are great. After meeting her again this past weekend I wanted to break out one of the wines I still had in the cooler from the first time I had met her. As usual it didn’t disappoint.

2005 Selby Syrah

Sight – Purple, lots of glass staining.

Nose – Blackberry, blueberry, cranberry, smoked meat, cranberry, band-aid, Ben Gay, and even some stinky foot. Needless to say there was a LOT going on in this wine.

Palate – Still vibrant and fresh with a lot of those dark fruits up front on the palate. A transition to a smokey finish makes for a long lasting and flavorful finish. Tannins and acid are right in line with where you would expect them. Pair this wine with heavier meats or sauces as it will stand up to just about anything.

Tags: sonoma county, susie selby, syrah, video wine reviews, wine reviews, wine tastings
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