Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
This is dialed-in syrah with a very cool and complex character of blackberries, blueberries and lemon rind. Full- to medium-bodied, tight and layered. White peppers, dark fruit and tar. Slate and salt. Love its uniqueness and nature. Drink or hold.
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Vinous
The 2014 Syrah Californio Hyde Vineyard is a youngster. It shows the more extracted style that was in place ten years ago. Even so, the 2014 has aged impeccably. Spice, leather, espresso, tobacco, incense and licorice meld into a core of dark red/purplish fruit. There's a good amount of French oak, and yet the wine holds it well. This is impressive.
Marked by an unmistakable deep purple hue and savory aromatics, Syrah makes an intense, powerful and often age-worthy red. Native to the Northern Rhône, Syrah achieves its maximum potential in the steep village of Hermitage and plays an important component in the Red Rhône Blends of the south, adding color and structure to Grenache and Mourvèdre. Syrah is the most widely planted grape of Australia and is important in California and Washington. Sommelier Secret—Such a synergy these three create together, the Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre trio often takes on the shorthand term, “GSM.”
Known for elegant wines that combine power and finesse, Carneros is set in the rolling hills that straddle the southernmost parts of both Sonoma and Napa counties. The cooling winds from the abutting San Pablo Bay, combined with lots of midday California sunshine, create an ideal environment for producing wines with a perfect balance of crisp acidity and well-ripened fruit.
This cooler pocket of California lends itself to growing Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah. Carneros is an important source of sparkling wines made in the style of Champagne as well.