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Tag Archives: syrah

TN: Ballentine 2002 Napa Valley Syrah “Old Vines”

14.7% ABV indicated, but tastes like 15.7%. Like brushing my teeth with a barrel stave soaked in pure ethanol. Maybe if this were chilled it would tame some of the heat, but the prickly acidity and alcohol burn obstruct the fruit. Normally I like acid, but this is spiky and out of place. I think [...]