2004 Saison Des Vin "L'Hiver"

I've always wondered what kind of people the tasting coordinators at Wine Spectator are.  I mean, these guys must get to taste absolutely everything.  It turns out that these coordinators are people like Wells Guthrie at Copain.  Wells went from tasting coordinator in San Francisco to Chapoutier for two years and then back to California to work with Turley.  Wells is producing some killer pinots and syrahs at his Copain label.  His Saison des Vin series (Printemps/Rose, L'Ete/Sauv Balnc, and L'Automne/Pinot) offers a pretty good value for a set of second wines.

L'Hiver is Mendocino syrah that makes an excellent food wine.  The electric blood color is eye catching for starters.  Tart cherry flavors and a reduced cranberry-ness fall short of bringing a pucker and it is well balanced.  Fairly long in the mouth but not all hefty.  Very nice, simple syrah.