2006 Rosenblum Syrah (Lodi) Abba Vineyard

This bottle of blackstrap Syrah was a bargain, discounted from a retail of about $25 to a great price of $11 at the local World Market here in Santa Fe. Since I have not tried many Lodi Syrahs, this was a good chance to experiment on a dime. I was a little concerned about the alcohol level, typical of Rosenblum's love for big wines, but it went nicely with a gnocchi arrabiata-spinach sauce last night. It had good balance, no whiff or back-burn of alcohol. It looks like a Petite Sirah, smells like saddles, cloves, and cigar box, then the dark cherry core emerges a bit in the middle and end. Nice vanillin after-taste, without overwhelming the palate with oak, and the fruity-leather carries through. We really liked this. For us, an 88/100.

Bottom line: If you can find it on discount, well worth a price under $16. Not sure I'd pay retail, but I might!

2006 Penfolds Bin 138 (G-S-M blend)

Cracked this open on Saturday to accompany some pumpkin gnocchi topped with a home-made bolognese sauce, that featured chopped leg of lamb and chopped saucisson sec (along with other items), and the ripe pruniness went well with the red sauce. Not much on the nose in the small glass I had to sample it in, but the fruit presence was there with some pepper, some tar (?), and some mineral spine. This is mostly Grenache, with almost equal portions of Syrah and Mourvedre (Shiraz and Mataro in old Aussie-speak). Very nice. I'm not sure how often I would go back to this for the price (about $35), but it's solid for a mass production (company) wine from Australia. Solid. 88/100 for us.
Bottom line: A bit over-priced, but not bad for a) Penfold and b) the 06 vintage in Barossa.