Maker: Domaine Berrien, Berrien Springs, Michigan, USA
Grape: Syrah (at least 85%)
Place of origin: Domain Berrien estate, Lake Michigan Shore AVA, Michigan, USA (at least 85%)
Vintage: 2016
ABV: Undisclosed (“table wine”)
Purchased for $22 (Michigan by the Bottle Tasting Room)
Appearance: Dark ruby.
Nose: Oak, sautéed mushrooms, mulberry, white pepper, nutmeg.
Palate: Tart blueberry, oak, clove, mace.
Finish: Mild, but a little spice and oak on the back end.
Parting words: I reviewed the 2011 vintage of DB’s Syrah back in 2016. It had spent a little longer in the bottle than this wine, but only by a few months. 2016 was a very warm vintage so I expected the 2016 to be fruitier than the 2011 was. While it can be hard to remember what I was thinking four and a half years ago, that does not seem to be the case. The notes are similar enough to be nearly identical. The only difference seems to be the earthy mushroom aroma I got in the nose. Earthiness is a Domaine Berrien trait, so it’s perhaps a little surprising that the 2011 didn’t seem to have much in the way of earth at all.
Anyway, Syrah does well in Southwest Michigan when it can get ripe enough, and 2016 was one of those years. $22 is a steal for a relatively rare, high quality wine like this. Domaine Berrien Syrah, 2016 is recommended.
Sipology 