SHAI Cellars Wines

image

2009 Grenache

Estelle Vineyard – Santa Ynez Valley - 100 case production.
Aged 18 months in 100% natural French oak – Bottled in June of 2011 - Released December 2011.

The 2009 Shai Cellars Grenache, a blend of 85% Grenache and 15% Syrah that's aged for 18 months in 100% French oak, is incredibly savory and meaty, showing copious amounts of dried cherries and kirsch, smoked leather, dried beef, and ground pepper on the nose. This leads to a medium-bodied wine that has a supple, light texture, notable balance, and a long finish. The tannin is polished and there's a lot to like here. I think that this will gain richness and flesh with a year in bottle (which Grenache can do).

$24

 

 

 

 

 


 

image


2009 Adome

65% Syrah (Tierra Alta Vineyard) & 35% Cab (Jack McGinley Vineyard)
– Santa Ynez Valley - 225 case production.

Aged for 18 months in 100% French oak (55% new) - Bottled in June of 2011 - Released June 2012.

More rich and concentrated, with 1 year of bottle aging the 2009 Shai Cellars Adome is a blend of 65% Syrah and 35% Cabernet Sauvignon that spend 18 months in 55% new French oak. Exhibiting rock solid aromas of cassis, smoked meats, leather, licorice, and cedar, this medium-bodied Syrah has a silky, beautifully polished texture, good concentration, and a classically dry, chewy finish. This is very well done and certainly delicious. It should continue to flesh out with a year in bottle, and drink well over the following several years.

Wine Spectator - 92 points

$34

 

 

 


 

image

 

2008 Adome

65% Syrah (Tierra Alta Vineyard) & 35% Cab (Losson Vineyard)
– Santa Ynez Valley - 230 case production.

Aged for 18 months in 100% French oak (40% new) - Bottled in June of 2010
- Released in September of 2010.

The 2008 Shai Cellars Adome shows a deep purple color, as well as deep, Cabernet like aromas of cassis, tobacco, earth, and lead pencil on the nose. With air, more of the sweet Syrah fruit and spice starts to show and there's good complexity. On the palate, the wine is medium to full bodied with a rich, pure texture that carries through to a dense mid-palate, and a long, clean finish that shows sweet fruit. This is a delicious red for consuming over the next several years.

Library wine: $40