Rubicon Estate Captains Reserve 2005 Syrah

As with the malbec, I am trying an American syrah with the hope of finding something comparable to the Australian syrah that I love. Rubicon has produced very good wines in my opinion, so I am eager to try the Captains Reserve syrah.

This is a big wine. The color is deep purple, so dark that it is almost impossible to discern the true color of the wine. It does not have the slightly sweet flavor of the Barossa syrah, and it was really somewhat tannic. This wine could use a year or two in the cellar prior to drinking. Overall I think that the wine is alright now, could improve with age but is not on the same level with the Barossa wines.

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Chateau Ste Michelle 2005 Vineyard Select Malbec

Over the past 2 years, I have found that Argentina produces the best malbec. Don't know why (yet), but they are very good at making malbec. For that reason I usually shy away from American malbecs. However, Chateau Ste. Michelle is a VERY solid wine producer. They seem to be good at almost everything that they make. So, I'll give it a try.

Dark purple with an aroma involving dark berries, this wine is solid. It probably could use a little more time in the cellar but overall a very good choice. The South American wines are still better, though.

I can be found at thewinedoctor@yahoo.com.