Phantom Creek’s Kobau Vineyard Syrah is a fantastic wine.
It’s expressive, well-made, and presents as a high end red.
Right away, you get juicy blackberries, plums, and cherries, mixed with a bit of black pepper, flowers, and smoky meat. There’s also some chocolate and spice from the barrel aging, but it doesn’t take over.
It’s big and rich in your mouth but not heavy, thanks to bright acidity that keeps it fresh. You taste dark fruit, black licorice, and spice, with smooth, grippy tannins that linger nicely on the finish.
It’s super balanced, not too sweet or harsh, with lots of flavors that change as it sits and breathes. The mouthfeel is smooth with a long aftertaste.
It’s a tad young right now, so it could get even better with a few years of cellaring.
If you like bold reds that are easy to enjoy but still impressive, grab this one.
Solid 9/10