Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The blockbuster, opaque purple-colored 2003 Syrah Hudson Vineyard exhibits aromas of ground pepper, licorice, graphite, and smoke. While there is huge fruit and great richness, this cuvee appears to have shut down following bottling. Tannic, heady, and rich, it was difficult to coax out of the glass. There is a wonderful composty, underbrush, primordial character to these Syrahs, with an almost scorched earth component. Think of it as drinking a liquefied grilled steak.
Rating: 94+
Undoubtedly proving its merit over and over, Napa Valley is a now a leading force in the world of prestigious red wine regions. Though Cabernet Sauvignon dominates Napa Valley, other red varieties certainly thrive here. Important but often overlooked include Merlot and other Bordeaux varieties well-regarded on their own as well as for their blending capacities. Very old vine Zinfandel represents an important historical stronghold for the region and Pinot noir is produced in the cooler southern parts, close to the San Pablo Bay.
Perfectly situated running north to south, the valley acts as a corridor, pulling cool, moist air up from the San Pablo Bay in the evenings during the hot days of the growing season, which leads to even and slow grape ripening. Furthermore the valley claims over 100 soil variations including layers of volcanic, gravel, sand and silt—a combination excellent for world-class red wine production.