2009 Torrin Akasha

Syrah
 

This wine is from the Paso Robles wine region in California and is a good representation of what California is doing with Rhone Blends.  The Rhone Rangers are a group of winemakers in the US, mostly in California, who embrace the techniques and blending of Rhone varietals.  The style I drank is more in the vein of a Northern Rhone wines blend, which is heavy on the Syrah.  I enjoyed a bottle of the 2009 Torrin Akasha. This wine is a blend of 95% Syrah and 5% Grenache with only 158 cases being produced. It has an alcohol content of 16%, very high for a red table wine. 

On the nose: White pepper.  Strong smell of a dried black berry elixir.  Beautiful color of inky deep dark magenta.  I am almost getting a high off the smell, queue up Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon” album.  Fills the room.  Very small amount of alcohol when swirled, but that blows off with an hour in the decanter.  Smell is unreal.

Palate: Rich and Spicy.  Blueberry pie.  Think of the movie “Stand by Me” and the Great Tri-County Pie Eat and throw your face right into that pie, Davie (?#@*&%!) Hogan style.  Very messy.  Long finish, 30+ seconds.  Would pair this with Sweet Pete’s Sticky Skirt Steak (please inquire).

Rating Scale (out of 5 +):

++++

Price: $62

“Shine on You Crazy Diamond”