Monday Night Vinology: Syrah

Funky and lightly tart with a quite restrained sourness. Pleasing funky complexity in the aroma with hints of leather, barnyard, and peach. Sweet lemon and orange-like citrus notes float over some restrained oak-derived notes of caramel and vanilla.

**Aroma:** “Light caramel and red wine notes, with moderately strong earthy Brett notes. A bit of mint on top of plum and tannins. Upfront honey-like sweetness with an herbal, lavenderesque component.” **Flavor:** “Lactic sourness up front gives way to a pretty intense hops bitterness. The Brett character adds complexity. Earthy funky, old saddle, medium sour. Moderate fruity notes of lemon with a little grapefruit. Light mint, sharp herbaceous quality, moderately strong acidity and light caramel notes with a moderate tannic astringency. Earthy bitterness and light acidity lingers in the aftertaste with light sweetness.” **Overall:** “Good beer, but the earthy tannic bitterness dominates and lingers for quite some time. The red wine characteristics on the nose are quite inviting, but the earthy tannins and bitterness of the flavor itself are a bit overpowering. Big and complex flavors. The aftertaste is not completely harmonious. Some lingering bitterness fights with the woody and earthy notes. Good tartness and fruity notes but the body is a bit thin.”

**Aroma:** “Medium sour note with a fruit melody with slight peach, green apple, pineapple, lemon, clove, tropical fruit, and a touch of sour. Floral Brett aroma.” **Flavor:** “Light clean lactic sourness with flavors of apricot/peach skin. Cider-like green and red apple flavors. Lime and grapefruit notes with a low green apple note. Grainy malt sweetness. Cinnamon and bread crust tart sourness is very smooth, lactic. High fruitiness up front with a rush of moderate sour notes com- ing in. High carbonation complements the sour notes. Slight wood or oak notes. Linger is slight and sour.” **Overall:** “Slightly sweet and lemony makes for a very tasty beer. Fruit character is very subdued. It is very easy to drink and only moderately sour. Nice clean lactic flavor dominates. There’s a lot going on, and I’m trying to pick out what the fruits are, but then the rush of sourness comes on.”