FESS PARKER AMERICAN TRADITION RESERVE SYRAH - 2000

Perhaps you first heard of Fess Parker Winery and Vineyard when it was satired in the movie Sideways as "Frass Canyon." Or perhaps you know it as "Daniel Boone" wine. Either way, Fess Parker has been making quality wine for years and the Syrahs from this winery are often exceptional.

TASTING NOTES:

Ripe strawberries on the nose with strong cherry, spice and oak flavors.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

87 PTS
This is a big Santa Barbara Syrah with lots of tannin and structure but the 14.6% alcohol seriously overwhelmed the fruit. There is a lot of heat on the finish which really impairs the enjoyment of this wine right now. I decanted the wine immediately after pulling the cork, but even 24 hrs later it was pretty harsh. It is built to age and may improve significantly with more time in the bottle, but how much it will improve is hard to say.