TN: Bassetti for the Basset
 

We are doting dog owners, and every year have a birthday tea for Lucy
the Basset Hound. Saturday afternoon was rained out, and it wasn't
looking much better for Sunday. It was raining at 1 as we decided what
the hell and called people to say it was on, but by time party was to
begin at 2 it had stopped, and by 2:30 sun was peeking out. Pugs, a
LhasaPoo, and an English Bulldog joined the celebration, but the
Saturday cancellation we lost the poodle, retriever, and Yorkies,
with their wine drinking owners. So no wine, but I opened the planned
thematic bottle with dinner (ribeye steaks, salad, green beans, and
baked potato). The 2003 Edmunds St. John "Bassetti Vineyard" Syrah
(San Luis Obispo County) is an excellent albeit juvenile bottle. At
first it showed lots of fruit, but still overshadowed by the acidic
and tannic structure. About an hour after opening it was less
dominated by the stucture, though still firm. Both dark (blackberry)
and red (raspberry) fruit notes, some smoke, pepper, a little earth.
The fruit is kept lively by a really nice acidic spine. The size let
it stand up well to the steak, but I'm going to save my remaining
bottles for a while. A-

Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent
wine, B a good wine, C mediocre. Anything below C means I wouldn't
drink at a party where it was only choice. Furthermore, I offer no
promises of objectivity, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency.