Hailing from Stagecoach Vineyards, 1650 feet above the Napa Valley proper, the Krupp Brothers 2006 Black Bart Syrah is a delightful expression of this Rhรดne valley varietal. This particular bottle of wine would be a fine example to use as a way to introduce a novice to Californian Syrah which tends, actually I think, to be rather atypical in that varietal Syrah can vary a great deal due to climate (the Napa Valley being famous for it's micro climates) and terroir.Black Bart, big on brambly-fruits, vanilla and smoky black pepper, with a nice floral note in the background, is about as typical a Syrah as one would expect from Napa Valley hillside fruit (which generally exhibits a more tannic intensity than valley floor fruit). I thoroughly enjoyed this bottle of wine. Mind you, I have enjoyed all the wines I have tried from this particular producer, except for a 2006 Marsanne which was much too oaky. And, I really like their labels.
Besides, what is there not to love about a wine named for an English born outlaw?
4 comments:
Love the label and your review. Why don't more wineries make more fabulous labels?? (could be an opportunity)
I'd never heard of Black Bart - neither the outlaw not the wine. It's a great story and a great name for a wine label. Taken to its logical conclusion, what would you get with a wine called Tony Blair? I think on the label it would be described as a deep red, with a strong Cherry flavour....but, when opened, would turn out to be watery Brown, with a lasting aftertaste of oil.....
ALW: Ahh, beauty is in the eye of the beholder...I think I'll start a Vinsanity series of ugly labels, just to see if people agree with me.
Affer: I think you should run for PM...I'd vote for you.
Vinogirl, the book in those 'chickadee' wings of yours could be titled: "Tasting illustrative California wines (From Barbera to Zinfandel)
Affer: could be more clever than she knows;-)
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