I opened three very different wines from the same varietal last night and all were quite good and very different from each other. One was an Aussie Shiraz, one was a California Sirah and one was a French Syrah.
1996 Jaboulet Hermitage La Chapelle- Certainly the most balanced of the bunch. Quite dark in the glass with the aroma of smoked bacon and blackberries. Richly tannic and full of black fruits with a hint of peppery spice finishing with a fair amount of acidity. B+ on the Dale scale
1996 Sean Thackrey Orion Old Vines Syrah- Inky dark purple showing no signs of age. Heavy aroma of over ripe peaches and black pepper notes on the nose all wrapped around hints of vanilla and blueberry. Very thick and tannic on the palate showing a ton of blackberry, blueberry and some herbal notes of ganja. B+ on the Dale scale.
1998 Clarendon Hills Astralis Shiraz. A bit lighter than the other two . A reddish purple hue with the slightest amount of brick showing through. A somewhat sweet nose of red raspberry and vanilla with a touch of red meat. Very robust on the palate and again quite thick and mouthcoating. Raspberry and black cherry with a slight minerality on the finish. A on the Dale scale.
It was like comparing Clapton, Stevie Ray and Robert Cray......