2004 Spencer & Roloson Syrah La Herradura Vineyard
Winemaker Sam Spencer produces a beautiful Syrah from vines that originate from Cote Rotie. Planted on the steep sides of Napa Valley’s Howell Mountain, the vines give a powerful, complex red. Each sip tastes of ripe blackberries and boysenberries, chocolate and smoke. Rich and balanced, the 2004 is a beauty, with a lingering finish that wants some serious red meat. Make friends with your butcher and lay in some well-aged rib-eye or leg of lamb. Braised short ribs would be a terrific match too.
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--S. Irene Virbila
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Region: Napa Valley
Price: $35 to $39
Style: Rich and balanced
Food it goes with: Braised short ribs, succulent pork roasts and grilled lamb chops.
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Where you find it: Friends of the Vine in Redondo Beach, (310) 792-5940, www.friends ofthevine.net; Liquid Wine & Spirits in Chatsworth, (818) 709-5019; and Twenty Twenty Wine Merchants in West Los Angeles, (310) 447-2020, www.2020
wines.com.