Winemaker Notes
Savory exotic spices, rich plum, and blueberry aromas frame the heart of this cool climate Syrah. Cooled by the summer sea breezes off the Pacific Ocean, our ‘Californio’ Syrah fruit exemplifies the elegant strength that Hyde Vineyard grapes can achieve. Layers of smoked red meat, fresh fig, and black pepper, framed by subtle and refined tannins, draw you in for another sip.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Loads of lead pencil, graphite, blueberries, blackberries, and flowers on the nose. Medium- to full-bodied and very fine tannins, with texture and length that caresses your palate. Shows the sophistication of syrah in Carneros. So delicious now but will improve with age.
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Vinous
The 2019 Syrah California Hyde Vineyard is gorgeous, but it is also an infant. The purity of the flavors is remarkable. Bright dark fruit, flowers, spice, mint and leather are all finely knit in a Syrah that impresses with its delineation and total class. The 2019 is such a sensual wine that it will be tempting early, but I have seen these Syrah blossom with time. I expect that will be the case here as well. Today, the 2019 is incredibly primary. Rating: 96+
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The medium-bodied palate is elegantly styled with velvety tannins, vibrant acidity, iron-laced flavors and a long, perfumed finish. It will gain savory complexity in bottle over the next 15+ years. Rating: 93+
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Wine Spectator
Sleek and savory in style, with tiers of licorice, black raspberry, smoked meat and cracked pepper flavors that build richness toward snappy tannins. Drink now.
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.