2002 Copain, Syrah, Broken Leg, Anderson Valley.
This amazing find from the darkest region of my tiny cellar is rewarding as rewarding gets, the 2002 Copain Broken Leg Syrah from Anderson Valley lit up my winter last night, Wells Guthrie take a bow sir, this glorious cool climate expression rivals many a Cornas in their prime! The 2002 Broken Leg Syrah is still vibrant and vigorous with classic secondary flavors adding to the joyous harmony and energy in this entertaining red, the spicy stemmy qualities remain and pretty dried flowers add charm. This Syrah still has plenty of fruit with blueberry, damson plum, black cherry and tangy currant along with a touch of charcoal embers, cracked peppercorns, a hint of black olives, grilled herbs, sweet tobacco,bacon fat and licorice with a foreshadowing of decay. There is just a little stewy element to the fruit that tips it’s maturity, as well as a fine balsamic note, but it all holds together and stays balanced and poised at this place in time, in other words if you have this beauty, it is the perfect time to open it. I was very impressed with this older Copain, I only wish I had more, this is tasty stuff that just kept getting better and better each minute, finishing with lingering violets, cinnamony raspberry tea, flinty minerals, cedar and briar notes. The Copain Broken Leg Syrah came in at just over 14%, but feels much less and the tannins have melted in nicely though still have an Henri Gouges or Jamet hint of green, overall this is a fantastic effort that should give any Rhone or Syrah lover a huge smile, as it did me, this 15 year old Syrah is drinking gorgeous!
($45 Est.) 94 Points, grapelive
