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Reviews for the 2004 Shell Creek Vineyard:
"Possessing an alluring, unique bouquet of cassis, candle wax, raw meat, blood, freshly cracked pepper, liquefied garrigue and graphite, the 2004 Clos Mimi Syrah Shell Creek is 100% destemmed Syrah that saw 33 months in three year barrels and clocks in at 17.5% alcohol. Despite the lofty alcohol, the wine doesn’t show a trace of heat, is completely dry and a joy to drink. In the mouth, it’s full bodied, unctuously textured and perfectly balanced with decadent fruit and a long finish where the wine shows plenty of structure. Glorious stuff but I’ve not a clue how it will age. This bottle showed best 4 hours after opening so don’t be afraid to give this some air. (95 pts.)" Jeb Dunnuck "($60; aged in barrels that were three and four years of age) Deep ruby. Exotically perfumed bouquet displays boysenberry, vanilla, black pepper, juniper and beef jerky, with a strong note of smoky Indian spices. Decadently sweet and palate-coating, with deep dark berry liqueur flavors and a numbing note of Szechuan peppercorn. The finish strongly echoes the peppery note and hangs on tenaciously. Tannins came up with air but didn't stand a chance next to this wine's lush fruit. Here's another wine that will probably divide the room. (92 points)" Josh Raynolds "The 2004 Syrah Shell Creek Vineyard, surprisingly civilized for a wine with 17.5% alcohol, exhibits notes of blackberries, cassis, licorice, earth, and spice. There is nothing baked or cooked about this big, rich, unevolved Syrah. It should age effortlessly for another 5-10 years or longer. (90 points)" Robert Parker's Wine Advocate "This wine is not for everybody, even though it's crafted in the popular style of today - very full-bodied (the word Zaftig comes to mind), densely colored and very high in alcohol (a whopping 17.5%!) If you're one who enjoys this style, you'll love this wine..." "Winemaker Tim Spear makes controversial but highly-rated wine from the famed Shell Creek vineyard. His 2004 vintage is no exception, with its deep extraction (it is impossible to see through), high alcohol and long life (both in the cellar and for days after opening), this wine reflects both big dark fruit flavors as well as damp mushroomy earth and a mineral note that reminded me of 'warm animal fur' the day I tasted this wine in the Clos Mimi cellar. This is a wine to be shared, discussed, and enjoyed. Try it on a winter night with grilled game or simply with a good game - chess, perhaps..." "Yet more important than the color and nose is the old world palate - tannins which are silky, sweet, and deceptively tannic. It is these super-ripe and gently-extracted tannins that are responsible for the wine's nearly unbelievable longevity..." "You'll be hard-pressed to find a more natural wine..." Dave Chambers
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