GARRETSON THE CRAIC SYRAH - 2004

Craic, which means fun or enjoyment, comes from Paso Robles. This 15.4% red is a blend of 93% Syrah and 7% Viognier. The wine spent 17 months in French oak of which 47% was new cooperage. The bottle also comes with a screw cap.

TASTING NOTES:

Very intense color, aromas and flavors. Hard to believe this is from California. It tastes like an Australian fruit bomb. Flinty metal nose with distinct aromas of kalamata olive and extremely ripe berries. Super-sweet, super ripe raspberry and cherry jam explode on the palate. Incredibly smooth, full and soft with well integrated alcohol despite the whopping 15.4%.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

91 PTS

This is New World fruit syrup! Probably not for everyone, but this is the kind of wine that tastes great even on the third day because there is so much concentration and alcohol that it needs to settle down. Delicious but definitely over-the-top. If you like pedal to the metal fruit forward reds, this is a huge winner. Retails for around $24 a bottle.