Sarah's Icon

Double Date

A few days back, Jason and I went out with the lovely friends (and foodies) Leah and Eric to Sarah’s a Cajun/Thai/Asian fusion sort of restaurant in a quiet quaint part of the Riverbend area here in New Orleans. The first order of business was wine—as we each examined the wine list, we decided on a red, nothing too fruity, and a reasonable price. The one which interested me had to not be too light and fruity (nix Pinot Noir) nor too heavy and bulky (nix the Cabernet) and I didn’t really want a straight-up Aussie Shiraz, that grape could do well with the meal as we began deciding on food. I was interested in a wine from Ravenswood, called icon, it was a Rhone-style blend of Syrah, Grenache, & Mouvedre, but was a little pricey, so I didn’t want to decide. Eric went on and ordered it from our lovely server (great service—but bad jokes on her part). It was perfect with the dinner. I had shrimp in a spicy red coconut curry, and Jason had an amazing duck breast, grilled in a Port reduction sauce. Mmm—Duck and Port.

2002 Ravenswood Icon
• Sonoma County, California
• 88% Syrah, 6% Mourvedre, 6% Grenache (Oh, Rhone varietals!)
• Aged 24 months in French oak, 35% new
• 14.2% alcohol/volume—not a problem.
• The light was low, but it was a rich garnet red tending toward purple.
• Nose, mmm, nice balance and complexity, a little peppery, dried tart cherry or boysenberry, leather, a nice light hint of oak.
• Tasty wine and good with food. It had a nice balance, medium-body, nice firm acidity, which I love, and a light black fruitiness followed by the spice, hint of toast (not too much). and a long, refreshing finish.
• I think the acidity helped this one with the food, as well as the balance, it wasn’t overbearing and I think the age was perfect. Mmm. I’d get this one again.