Strike Two?

Okay, decided to give the folks at Santa Carolina another chance as they have been kind to me in the past. So, pulled the cork on their Syrah, Barrica Selection, 2005 tonight.
This was immediately more promising than their Carmenere, a quick sniff yielding intense minty plums. On the palate the fruit is much cleaner and pleasant. A chunky wine with a leathery backbone and quite tannic mouthfeel, it would make a good BBQ meat match.
I give this one a passing grade, much more enjoyable than the Carmenere, but not good enought to be a "weekend wine."
Value: fair at $16.

Cheers!!