Frei Brothers : Reviews

Wine Guy's Pick of the Week The Wine Guy.com, January 28, 2009 2006 Russian River Valley Syrah "The deep purple hue in the glass and the earthy aroma tell you that this is the real deal before you even taste the tart plum over blueberry and spice. Tannins are present, but not overbearing. It's complex, punchy, and really packs a lot of power in its 14.8 alcohol."

Weekend Wine Wineskinny.com, January 9, 2006 2003 Russian River Valley Syrah "Lots of cedar aromas and flavors from start to finish, but with appealing blackberry, concentrated currant and smoke flavors that linger on the finish. Ready to drink now and over the next couple of years."

TOP 100 WINES OF 2004 San Francisco Chronicle Magazine, December 5, 2004 2001 Russian River Valley Syrah "Has smoky, meaty aromas and flavors of blackberry, blueberry, tobacco, leather and black olive. Plush and with lots of wood extraction."

RECOMMENDED Miami Herald, February 18, 2010 2007 Russian River Valley Syrah "Black raspberry and black pepper aromas and flavors, soft tannins."

Connoisseur's Guide to California Wine, August 1, 2004 2001 Russian River Valley Syrah GOOD VALUE "Lots of ripe and rich blackberry fruit filled out by suggestions of dired plums and cherries and a hint of dark chocolate feature in the extracted, expansive aromas of this medium-full bodied wine. It is wonderfully supple at entry and finds support and structure in the muscular but never brawny tannins that lie just beneath the surface of its impressively fruit flavors, and it finishes with concentrated fruit outlasting all else in the finish."

Grape Anticipation, January 1, 2008 2005 Syrah "Big and rich with blackberries and a hint of black pepper. Intense flavor with subtle notes of smoke and toast."

Grape Anticipation, March 1, 2008 2005 Russian River Valley Syrah "Big and rich with balckberries and a touch of black pepper. Intense flavors with subtle notes of smoke and toast."

Wine Enthusiast, December 15, 2007 2005 Russian River Valley Syrah "Not only extremely drinkable, but shows real varietal elegance and class. Dry and fairly tannic, the wine brims with flavors of blackberries, blueberries, chocolate, sweet leather and Provencal herbs, with good acidity for balance."

Wine Review Online.com, August 12, 2008 2006 Russian River Valley Syrah "Easygoing pleasure is what this wine delivers. Loaded with the bouyant appeal of juicy ripe blackberries combined with a touch of smokiness and black pepper, this is Syrah for all seasons. I can imagine it with cool weather cuisine too, but right now the wine can be chilled down a few notches and enjoyed with summertime barbecues and poolside suppers."

California Grapevine, October 1, 2008 2006 Russian River Valley Syrah "Medium-dark purplish ruby; attractive, forward, rich, spicy, blueberry and blackberry fruit aroma; full body; forward, rich, fairly intense, textured, herbal, cedary, black raspberry fruit flavors; medium-full to full tannin; lingering aftertaste. Approachable now. Highly recommended."

Connoisseur's Guide to California Wine, July 1, 2008 2006 Russian River Valley Syrah "Intriguing notes of dusty soil and dried violets lend a twist of complexity to the otherwise solid, blackberry aspects that run the length of thus still-rugged young wine. While toughened by a rush of late-arriving tannins, it shows a good sense of fruit at the finish and promises better things providing it is allowed to age for three to five years."

Independent Weekly, November 9, 2005 2003 Sonoma County Syrah "Very fruitful with nice ripe blackberry impressions. Round, harmonious, charming flavors. Full, lyrical and supple texture. (Will improve but lovely now).

California Grapevine, January 1, 2008 2005 Russian River Valley Syrah "Medium-dark ruby; attractive, herbal, tarrish, blackberry fruit aroma with a hint of cassis; medium-full to full body; rich tarrish, concentrated, textured, black cherry fruit flavors with a note of whote pepper; firmly structured; medium-full to full tannin; lingering aftertaste. Highly recommended."

Wine News, August 1, 2008 2006 Russian River Valley Syrah "Dense garnet hue with a ruby rim. Forward chocolate-covered cherry scents with a hint of clove. Supple and rather ripe flavors of black cherry and plum. Tangy, concentrated finish with an additional oak influence."

Wine Spectator, March 31, 2010 2007 Russian River Valley Syrah "Intense and rustic, chewy and leathery, with sage, dried berry, pepper and spice. Full-bodied and firming on the finish, where the spicy qualities provide complexity. Drink now through 2016."

Wine Review Online.com, February 24, 2010 2007 Russian River Valley Syrah "This powerhouse Syrah delivers alluring, smoky, bacon-like nuances. For all its power, it does have layered complexity in the finish and polished tannins that allow immediate enjoyment with hearty winter fare."

Wine Spectator, January 31, 2005 2002 Russian River Valley Syrah "Concentrated, with ripeness and intensity to cola, beef, wild berry extract and fresh herb flavors. Firm tannins and cedary oak extend through the finish."

Wine Spectator, March 31, 2006 2003 Russian River Valley Syrah "Expressive espresso and spice aromas lead to tightly focused flavors of blackberry, blueberry and lead pencil. Shows solid complexity although the tannins firm up, turning dry and dusty on the finish."

Wine Enthusiast, December 1, 2008 2006 Russian River Valley Syrah "This is made in the style of an Aussie Shiraz, a big, powerful wine that stuffs the mouth with fresh, jammy fruit and spice flavors. It's very dry and crisply balanced with acidity, and brings to mind smoky, barbecued meats and poultry."

Connoisseur's Guide to California Wine, March 1, 2006 2003 Russian River Valley Syrah

Connoisseur's Guide to California Wine, March 1, 2010 2007 Russian River Valley Syrah "Young and nervy in the first instance, yet drifting into hints of chocolaty ripeness in the second and not as clear in focus as it ought to be, this wine may be full in body but runs to a bit of thinness in latter palate viscosity, and if not shrill in its acidity, it is nevertheless on the wiry side with a touch of greenness to its fruity aftertaste."

Houston Chronicle, August 22, 2007 2005 Russian River Valley Syrah "2005 Frei Brothers Syrah very nice, young wine, spicy, with hints of black pepper and vanilla; 2 percent viognier brings out the floral aspects; decant at least half an hour before serving."

Restaurant Wine, August 1, 2005 2002 Russian River Valley Syrah "Wow! A Syrah with intense boysenberry fruitiness, that is soft and full on the palate, with a very long, lightly oaky finish. Great value."

Restaurant Wine, May 1, 2010 2007 Russian River Valley Syrah "An excellent wine. Round and ripely flavored, this is a smoothly textured, moderately rich Syrah, with a long finish, tasting of blackberry, cherry, toast, cedar, and spicy oak. 10,300 cases."

Restaurant Wine, December 1, 2005 2003 Russian River Valley Syrah "Deep in color, full bodied, round, concentrated; a fine Syrah, which is lightly oaked, and medium long on the finish. It tastes of blackberry, nutmeg, black licorice, and toast."

Quarterly Review of Wines, June 1, 2008 2005 Russian River Valley Syrah "Big, rich, firm, black fruit, French roast and earth flavors."

Sign On San Diego.com, June 13, 2008 2006 Russian River Valley Syrah Big Reds for Dad "A berry blast of juicy, spicy Syrah yum! Aromas of raspberry, blackberry and black cherry marry effortlessly with chocolate, smoke and spice notes. Plush texture, and the aromas and flavors are consistent from the first sniff all the way through to the finish."