This was a really good wine, and I highly recommend it for those who want a full bodied red wine with a lot of "oomph", and some briary rustic flavors.  The 2003 Linne Colado Rising Tides is a blend of 42% Syrah, 37% Grenache, and 21% Mourvedre.  I have not seen many of these blends from the USA, but they are becoming quite popular in Australia, where they are called "GSM's", (for Grenache-Shiraz-Mourvedre).  For centuries, these grapes have been blended together in the Southern French Rhone Valley, in the areas around Chateauneuf du Pape.  This wine is from the Central California region of Paso Robles.

I think the wine has definitely benefitted from a little cellaring, but it still presents enough juicy Syrah fruit forward appeal to balance out the more brooding character of the Mourvedre.  Those who like Rhone wines, Spanish wines and Australian wines should try this.  Those who want to stick to blackberry-laden Cabs should stay away.  If you like this wine, you may also want to try the wines from Tablas Creek, and vice-versa.

3.75 stars

 

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