Penrose Hill Firstleaf Inkscape Shiraz Review

Whenever I see “California” as the region on a wine, I wince a little. It doesn’t necessarily mean it was made with inferior grapes (but wines labeled simply California often are), rather that the grapes used in the wine likely came from more than one officially-designated California region.

Wine review by: Jessyca Frederick

Inkscape Shiraz

I did not photograph the back of this bottle.

FYI: I find great wine deals so you don’t have to. To keep me on the hunt, I earn a commission when you buy wine based on my recommendations.

About this Wine

Wine: 2018 Inkscape Shiraz
Blend: 100% Pinot Noir
Region: Valle Central, Chile
Retail price: $19 / Member price: $14.99
I consumed it: December 2021
My source: Firstleaf

Discover More

From this wine club: Firstleaf

From this winery: Penrose Hill Firstleaf

Region: California

Wine color/style: Red wine

Grape variety or blend: Syrah

Tasting notes: Dark fruit, Tobacco, Spice, Subtle

Inkscape Shiraz: What I think

Whenever I see “California” as the region on a wine, I wince a little. It doesn’t necessarily mean it was made with inferior grapes (but wines labeled simply California often are), rather that the grapes used in the wine likely came from more than one officially-designated California region.

Inkscape is a great name for a Syrah (the American and French word for Shiraz, which is typically used in the southern hemisphere) because it often tastes inky.

Mouth-coating dark fruit, a little tobacco and spice, and a mellow acidity are hallmarks of Syrah produced in California.

This one was a more subtle version of what this grape can produce, but a great introduction to it if you’re not familiar and looking for an alternative bold red wine to Cabernet Sauvignon.

Last updated: August 2, 2023

Notice: I hold no formal wine credentials. I am a wine geek who has consumed 1000+ of bottles from 100+ different wine clubs and 1000s more bottles that didn’t come from those wine clubs. I do not accept payment for wine reviews, and I do not accept payments to influence my opinions. I happily accept free wine (and I buy wine).

Why read my wine reviews: Wine taste is subjective. What I like may not be what you like. I try to leave room for you to form your own opinions, so I don’t provide a score or a rating. I do point out wines that are an incredible value or truly not worth the money. I note flaws, wines that don’t have typicity (because this matters if you are buying wine without having tasted it yourself), when wines are out of balance, and when wines lack appropriate body.

I don’t like wasting money (or anything for that matter). I’m careful about where I spend my money and my mindset as a reviewer is to be careful about where you spend yours. I don’t believe a high price tag equals quality and I know for sure there are wines of very good quality that are also a great value.

Learn more about me or get in touch.