2008 Arger-Martucci Vineyards Napa Valley Syrah

Well here we are, the last syrah of 2014...you love my puns don't you?  Anyhow, ahead of all the New Year's Eve festivities, I've decided to open a bottle of 2008 Arger-Martucci Vineyards Napa Valley Syrah to enjoy on the last evening of the year!  This wine has quite a pedigree, coming from the Atlas Peak appellation in the Odyssey Vineyard located near the well-known Antica and Stagecoach vineyards, the latter being home to many of Napa's greatest names, like Paul Hobbes, Decade 5 and Caymus.

The wine is a deep purple color at the center leading to a bright garnet color along the edges with just a hint of opacity.  The nose is quite nice, ripe black fruits and anise transition to some wonderful mineral notes.  The taste is very pleasant with some nice blackberry and cherry cola notes at the outset that transition to some lovely dark chocolate and mineral notes of dusty limestone and graphite midpalate.  The tannins are well rounded and supportive of the voluptuous, long, dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's easily one of the finer Syrahs I've had in a very long time, and it was an incredible value at just $15 from Wines Till Sold Out!  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a rather interesting pairing, some dungeness crab ravioli with some tomato basil cream sauce, as the earthy spice of this wine just does something magical with a rich dinner like this.  It would also do very well with barbecue or a simple grilled steak.  Cheers and here's to a wonderful 2015!