Hospice du Rhone 2009, part 1

The world's most prestigious celebration of Rhone varietals, or America's at least, has now begun. The Syrah Shootout just ended, with 45 wines judged, of which the Stillman clone 877 came in 4th; the Four Vines One Tree Hill was first, which is not exactly hard to take as the owners and winemakers are good friends . . .