TN: 2005 Ngeringa Adelaide Hills Syrah

[n4sir]

2005 Ngeringa Syrah, Adelaide Hills (screwcap): 14% alc. Medium to dark garnet with a bricking rim. Smells leathery and earthy, initially attractive with black tea and raspberry, violets, some smoked meats, but after a few hours it starts to collapse, some tomato skin and mousy characters appearing. The palate is sweet and sour, sarsaparilla and sour plum sauce, quite leathery with some pepper and a finish that's drying out, by all counts on a downward slide. Much hyped on release, this wine is a big disappointment and there is absolutely zero chance it will improve from here.



Cheers,
Ian

[Nick]

Interesting one Ian, I had the 2006 Syrah about 12 months ago and absolutely loved it. I followed up and chased down some more, which I've been getting through this year, but they have been falling over very quickly on opening; not nearly as enjoyable as last year. I had put it down to hitting a wine at its absolute peak 12 months ago, and now just catching it on the decline.
Maybe we're just expecting too much of an Adelaide Hills Syrah to be still kicking goals nine years down the track...