Syrah: Old World, New World

Please join me, Clive and Nathalie for a Syrah and Shiraz wine dinner at Akdeniz, a favourite Turkish restaurant in Midtown West, located at 43 W. 46th Street, between 5th and 6th Avenues. Syrah and Shiraz: the same grape, but two different styles. We will have two red wines from the Northern Rhône, the historic home of Syrah, alongside a California Syrah and an Australian Shiraz. And, of course, we’ll start with a white wine, this one from southwestern France. Here is a link to Akdeniz' menu Just a reminder of our usual rules: The cost of this event is $57 and is for the wines and corkage. You will also have to pay the cost of your food (plus 33% for tax and tip). Please order at least two courses (i.e. a main dish and appetizer ). There are very few restaurants that allow us to bring our own wine for a low corkage. NOTE: Meetup has started charging a "Partner Fee" that is above and in addition to the listed price of the event. It is annoying and confusing, but there is nothing I can do about it. It comes to approximately $4 more for each RSVP. You will see this charge when you complete your rsvp and pay for the event. MEETUP+ members are exempt from this charge. Please read and understand the group's cancellation policy. If you take spot, then cancel, and no one else takes the spot, you will not receive a refund or credit. No refunds or credits will be given for no-shows or late cancellations (unless someone else takes your spot). All cancellations are subject to a $6 service fee. Lastly: NO DRINKING AND DRIVING The Wines (notes will be distributed at the dinner): 2023 Domaine Ilarria Irouléguy Blanc ($32) - A dry white from southwestern France\, here is what the importer said\, "80% Petit Manseng\, 20% Courbu (aka Hondaribbi Zuri) - This is what I tasted with Peio out of barrel\, a never before seen dominance of 80% Petit Manseng due to the combination of early season frost (which strongly affected the earlier flowering Courbu)\, and a mid season hailstorm that took out more of the crop. The yields were a ridiculously low 13hl/ha\, but what did finally make it into the winery is absolutely gorgeous\, to my taste. Aged in larger demi muid barrel\, this had an even clearer and more intense aromatic display than the very good 2022\, with even more precision in the mouth\, with medium body\, and ever rising\, salty limestone intimations giving it linear drive and persistence." 2021 Torbreck Shiraz The Struie ($50) - 100% Shiraz. WS 94\, WA 96 points\, "The 2021 The Struie is 100% Shiraz from both the Barossa (57%) and the Eden Valley (43%)\, and it matured for 18 months in French oak (20% new). The proportion of Eden Valley inclusion is usually around 25%\, but in 2019\, it was down to 10% due to the very low yields. So\, this 2021 Struie is blue-fruited on the nose\, with blueberry\, licorice\, black tea\, crushed rocks\, summer raspberry\, layers of campfire embers and clove. It might be that in many of the tasting notes from 2021\, that the wines outperform previous vintages. This is because the cool season was long\, so great ripeness was achieved\, without the stress or impact of heat events and disease. It's a lovely\, lovely year that has made wines with freshness and intensity. The tannins through the finish here are savory and fine and black. (drink 2023-2043)" 2022 Dumien Serrette Cornas "Henri" ($82) - WA 92 points\, “The 2022 Cornas Henri\, less dominated by phenols than its counterpart\, evokes aromas of dark wild berries\, spices and mulberries. On the palate\, this wine is medium to full-bodied\, dense and concentrated\, supported by structured tannins and a fleshy core of fruit. This rather firm Cornas culminates in a long\, slightly meaty and spicy finish.” Drink 2025-2032 2020 Martinelli Syrah Chico's Hill ($106) - Sonoma County\, CA. WA 95 points\, The 2020 Syrah Chico's Hill has lush aromas of baked plums\, chocolate\, tobacco\, potting soil and bacon fat. The full-bodied palate features concentrated\, ripe flavors and a surprisingly approachable frame\, and it finishes with pretty nuances of blueberry and violet. Drink it over the next 3-5 years for its generous fruit and luscious perfume. Just 23 cases were made." 2009 Domaine des Remizieres, Hermitage Cuvee Emilie ($98) - WA 96\, JL 92 points\, "Dark in color\, this young\, powerful\, concentrated\, tannic wine is not a lot of fun to taste today. With air and effort\, earth\, sweet blackberries\, smoke and stone notes come through\, but I'd wait several years before popping a bottle." Tasted Dec 2014