We drank the 1997 Paloma Syrah and the 1998 Lagier Meredith Syrah with dinner at The Slanted Door last night. Immediately after opening the Paloma the clear favorite. Lush California fruit (blueberries?) in both nose and mouth plus wonderful texture. The Lagier Meredith was dry and earthy with a bit of a leathery syrah character but no fruit to speak of - not nearly as much fun as the Paloma. After about an hour the wines did a complete turn-about. The fruit faded from the Paloma leaving just skin and bones - not unpleasant, exactly, but it seemed to have lost all of its charm. The Lagier Meredith, on the other hand, started singing. The nose opened up to reveal boysenberries and pomegranites and the flavors softened considerably. It became much more interesting and complex and matched perfectly with the food, especially with their famous "Shaking Beef".

Richard

Thanks Winegeek,
Great tasting notes; context is so important. Also I appreciate the note about watching the wines change over the course of a dinner.