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Que Syrah, Syrah
Anchorage, Alaska
BJCP Category: 25B Semi-Sweet Pyment
Celestial Meads <visit site>
41
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[expand]Total Score: 38/50
An interesting combination of grape and honey wines. This mead presents more as a sweet mead than a semi-sweet mead, although it is not big and cloying. more >
[close]Total Score: 38/50
Bouquet/aroma: Buttery Syrah and Grenache grape wine aroma dominates with high alcohol aroma. Some oaky, cinnamon bouquet. Honey is present in a sweetish aroma but not specific honey notes. The combination of grape wine, alcohol, and sweet honey creates a complex bouquet. (8/10)
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Appearance: Brownish red color. Bright clarity. No bubbles/carbonation at all; a still mead. Long-lasting legs encircle the glass. A very pretty mead. (6/6)
Flavor: Buttery, substantial Syrah and Grenache red wine flavor with a good deal of alcohol and residual sweetness from the honey. Finishes quite sweet. Could use a bit more acid to better balance the sweetness, although the grapes do contribute balancing tannins. Honey sweetness is present but honey flavor is lost in the depth of the grape. Hints of cinnamon and oaky notes add to the depth of complexity. Mouthfeel is a full-ish body. (16/24)
Overall Impression: An interesting combination of grape and honey wines. This mead presents more as a sweet mead than a semi-sweet mead, although it is not big and cloying. I suggest a bit lower percentage of grape wine in order to let the expression of honey compete with the grapes and shine through. Additional acidity to balance the sweetness and the buttery, cinnamon red grape would help to brighten the mead. Still a very nice mead to accompany a cheese course, especially a well-aged cheddar. (8/10) -
[expand]Total Score: 42/50
Honey varietal is not specified, but the floral expression suggests orange blossom to me. Evenly balanced between the red wine character and the mead mid-palate, but the finish leans distinctly to the more >
[close]Total Score: 42/50
Bouquet/aroma: Fruity floral honey expression is well balanced with the full Syrah grape, notes of blueberry, and hints of cinnamon and black pepper emerge, with even a ghost of toasty oak. (8/10)
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Appearance: Garnet with pink to lavender highlights, no tawniness; brilliant clarity and still. No legs form on a swirl. (5/6)
Flavor: A moderately strong Syrah grape expression is forward, but gives way to the fruity floral honey that follows the aroma. A light tannin and alcohol warmth leave a tingling sensation on the tongue that lingers into the finish, reminiscent of carbonation, though the beverage is distinctly still. Medium light bodied, it finishes with a mélange of blueberries, and a hint of oak, more akin to wine. Berry flavors meld to grape, balanced with the sweetness and light acidity of the mead. (21/24)
Overall Impression: Honey varietal is not specified, but the floral expression suggests orange blossom to me. Evenly balanced between the red wine character and the mead mid-palate, but the finish leans distinctly to the Syrah. Quite an inviting quaff, definitely semi-sweet with a clean, lightly tannic, pleasingly crisp finish. (8/10) -
[expand]Total Score: 42/50
Starts with honey sweetness—variety is not evident but this is definitely a mead. The grape character builds, and while this provides berry and pepper notes from the Syrah grapes, honey is the primary more >
[close]Total Score: 42/50
Bouquet/aroma: Sweet honey aroma comes through as the beverage is poured. The grape character is subtle for Syrah but boysenberry, currant, and pepper notes are evident. I also pick up earthy and musty undercurrents. Alcohol is evident, with some fruity yeast esters and a hint of solvent. (7/10)
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Appearance: Burgundy color reflects the grapes; very good clarity. Still as described on the label. Good alcohol legs flow down the glass when the mead is swirled. (6/6)
Flavor: Starts with honey sweetness—variety is not evident but this is definitely a mead. The grape character builds, and while this provides berry and pepper notes from the Syrah grapes, honey is the primary flavor. The finish is soft, with a burst of alcohol and a pleasant afterglow from the tannins. There is enough acidity to balance the sweetness. (21/24)
Overall Impression: Excellent, enticing honey wine married with one of my favorite grapes. Perhaps that is why I would like the balance to be levered a little more toward the grape rather than leaning so strongly toward the honey. The finish is very smooth and makes this dangerously drinkable. Nicely done! (8/10) -
[expand]Total Score: 44/50
Well, I just found a new commercial pyment for the style guidelines! This mead is well-structured like a good wine. Clean and fresh flavors. Big body and mouthfeel, yet with a good wine character. more >
[close]Total Score: 44/50
Bouquet/aroma: Fresh fruit and honey aroma with dark fruit and honey sweetness. Light peppery alcohol mixes with the fruit, which reminds me of blackberries and cherries. A little toastiness is noted from the oak. Enticing. Clean, like a fresh sweet wine. It has the oak and fruit of an expensive wine but the sweetness that I’d typically associate with a cheaper wine. (9/10)
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Appearance: Deep red color, not into the purple or black range. Bright, vibrant hue, not aged. Still. Brilliantly clear. Looks like a fine wine, like a pinot noir perhaps. (6/6)
Flavor: Medium-full body. Still. Initial honey sweetness balanced by alcohol and oaky tannin in the finish. The sweetness takes the edge off, but it probably would benefit from more age. Big berry-like fruit flavor, blackberries with some dark cherry in the background. Very clean flavors. The honey is subtle and supportive; it brings out the fruit flavors nicely. The acidity is restrained and well-balanced. The overall sweetness level is moderate, with the alcohol and tannin balancing the sweetness. Well-made mead. (20/24)
Overall Impression: Well, I just found a new commercial pyment for the style guidelines! This mead is well-structured like a good wine. Clean and fresh flavors. Big body and mouthfeel, yet with a good wine character. Seems a little young—if the alcohol and oak/tannin had a chance to age more, it would be even better. Great balance, nicely drinkable. Impressive. Wish I had a bottle to cellar and try in a year. (9/10)
