Palate Press Wine of the Week (Jan 24-28): 2007 Domaine La Bastide Syrah

This is a real Old World Syrah, dark garnet in color and notes of earthiness, leather, and smoked game. On the attack the fruit is all blackberry, but it softens into raspberry and cherries on the mid-palate. The finish has a lingering smokiness. There is a very slight off-putting mothball odor on the nose, but it does not translate to the palate. It may blow off over time … and it did. Very interesting. Drink with a thick, rare, sloppy burger.

WHO: Domaine La Bastide
WHAT: Syrah
WHERE: Languedoc, France
WHEN: 2007
HOW MUCH: $12