Maybe someone in this august group can help me identify a flavor--I picked up a case of Failla (Napa Valley) Que Syrah 2001--a catchy name for a syrah that might appear more at home on a Bonny Doon offering.
I've gone through 7 or 8 bottles of the case and am still stumped at a taste. The wine is dark purple in color (no brown or reddish tones) and decidedly murky, almost muddy in appearance. The nose is pleasant enough although undistinctive with maybe a bit of leather, peat, and dark but murky fruit. The taste, however, is something I need help with. It isn't unpleasant, but it isn't something I would actively seek out again. It seems herbal like maybe the grandson or cousin twice-removed of Jagermeister or a horehound cough drop. Maybe dill or bay leaf overlaying any berry or cherry notes.
The taste has been consistent across all the bottles tasted over about six months, so it seems to overrule any convolution of TCA or abuse. The murkiness hasn't settled out and the herbal notes don't dissipate with time in the glass.
Anybody tasted this or got any ideas?
Ed Rasimus Fighter Pilot (USAF-Ret) "When Thunder Rolled" "Phantom Flights, Bangkok Nights" Both from Smithsonian Books
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