DiStefano 2003 Syrah R

*Bottle #31: DiStefano 2003 Columbia Valley Syrah R

*Price: $29

*Running Tab: $419 (Yikes!)

I first fell in love with wine when I was 20. I had a very fake ID which I used in restaurants that wouldn't dream of an underager coming in and violating their liquor control rules. I'd take full advantage of their conviction and break the law, not with shots of tequila or vodka Redbulls, but, with glasses of Barnard Griffin Cab-Merlot and Bogle Petit Syrah. 

I was a bona fide badass. 

At 20, grocery store labels like the previously mentioned were all I knew before I was spoiled and snotted up merely a year later. And I loved them for all they were worth. My average bottle was $9 (usually on sale with my Safeway card) and the brightly-lit, highly-leveled wine aisle was my oyster. Once I thought I knew what I was talking about with wine (still don't), I was first smitten by Syrah, the full-bodied, voluptuous, berry-juice-bursting varietal. She sure was perdy.

We got over each other like any other college break-up - she went her way, many others falling for her easy-drinking and bright fruitiness, I went mine and had a tough-love phase with some robust Cabs and boring Merlots. 

But like many first loves, it was hard to get her out of my mind. We ran into each other a couple years down the road at DiStefano Winery in Woodinville, WA. And she looked good. After taking her around the block again, I decided to go in for the kill of the $29 purchase. 

The DiStefano 2003 Syrah R was noted as a "traditionally produced Rhone-style wine," which is a soft spot for me. I love Rhone varietals (Grenache, Viognier, Roussane, Marsanne, Syrah included), I'm rarely disappointed by one that's grown in Washington - they say the state has similar latitude to that France place. 

Blending traditional Rhone varietals is a given, but here, winemaker Hillary Sjolund put a little white into her red - 94% Syrah, 2% Cabernet Sauvignon with 4% Viognier. I like that because for a varietal that's known to be super juicy and full of berries (usually blueberries), the Syrah R now has a great floral note on the nose as well as some supple acidity on the palate.

The rest of the bouquet held in some dark berries and stoned fruits with a slight mineral touch. It wasn't overwhelming aromatic at first but it opened up dramatically over time. I think this was a perfect experiment as far as decanting a wine is considered - the 2003 Syrah R had some quality time spent in the bottle and required a bit of attention from the air. 

I couldn't believe how much the wine really came into its full expression probably after at least 45 minutes of oxidation. I never really picked up on much of a tannic structure but there were distinct red fruits, a lot of plum and was a satisfyingly big, juicy Syrah. The finish was mocha and plum, lingering just long enough to make a better second impression. 

My only complaint: I think there might have been a little too much alcohol on the nose. Now I don't know how Hillary may have covered that up but I drank this with my friend who declared he knows nothing about wine and much of what he could smell was the 14.6% liquor. 

As far as drinking Syrah again, it was good to spend some time with her but I really think I've grown out of our love but will foreverly be burdened with a bit of vulnerability with her. Aw, love. 

Score: 6.5.