I'm expecting my shipment of Sandler in the next week or so, so it was time to revisit one of the wines from last year's release ...

• 2005 Sandler Wine Company Syrah Connell Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Bennett Valley (12/8/2007)
  Popped and poured - Don't do that ! Very tight nose, offering almost nothing. Pepper and a bit of heat on the palate. After about 2 hours, really opened up into a delightful wine. Great aromas of black fruit and pepper. Rich and full-bodied on the palate, with a spicy blueberry flavor and a hint of creaminess. Nicely balanced, with some tannin evident. Lingering finish. Drinkable now with a few hours (or more) decanting, but I'll be in no hurry to get into my next bottle. (90 pts.)

Posted from CellarTracker

Decanted for sediment, and tried over a four hour period. Spice, spice and more spice. This had a grapefruity quality (my taste has changed and that is how I identify syrah and zin "spice" now), with great balance and hints of black and blue fruits on the palate. Crisp acidity and tannins in the finish promise longer life. This is a very different style from the "fruit bombs" of Cali, and a welcome change, but I don't have enough experience with European examples of this varietal to tell where this bottling will go. I suspect it will be all pepper or taste like a good Hermitage in 5-10 years. 89 pts now, but does anyone have hints on how long I should age these?