February 16, 2021 - Still outstanding and able to stand up to an 05, 06, 07 vertical as a close #2 to the 05. Lots of fruit still evident despite the green notes on the nose.
January 13, 2021 - So nice to try one of these older AR Syrahs. I have many younger ones but not ready to drink. 13 years along this is opening up but still many miles to go. Smells of aromatic gum, cherry, olive, lilac and blackberry. Really good but I would prefer to drink this In five more years.
September 18, 2018 - Coming into its own now - not nearly past its window. Tannins are still strong yet softened and integrated after dropping a lot of sediment. Quite dry, yet well balanced with complex dark fruit flavors and appropriate acid. Competitor to northern Rhone syrahs. This really grows on you. Much better than it was a few years ago, when it was somewhat harsh. I hope I'm not the only one with more in the cellar.
December 6, 2015 - this was so bone dry ... i was expecting more fruit, but not this one ... almost Tuscan dry ... had with lamb stew (it worked great!!!)
October 10, 2015 - Bu au Bistro Fringale (AVV) de Granby avec Bulle, Bordeaux70 et Meursault.
Très belle Syrah des USA, similitude avec le Rhône Nord.
Tapenade, poivre, mure et viande, bien équilibré, minéral et digeste.
Délicieux.
August 26, 2015 - Decanted. A bit cold (direct from cellar) but tremendous. Handles the alcohol and has substantial grace. Borderline 94. 14%
April 9, 2015 - Très belle Syrah, style Rhone Nord avec une touche moderne bien dosée.
Nez sur les olives vertes, le poivre et la cassonade.
En bouche, beaucoup de fruits, mures et cassis, tapenade, et poivre.
Assez digeste et finale très longue...plus ouvert que la première bouteille.
December 12, 2014 - for me this was a characteristic Hudson syrah ... just like i learned to love in the days of Havens (before the deluge). if you are not used to this palate you will probably struggle w/ the AR. My wife did not like it but i thought a well done Hudson. it has improved since last tasting and is still going strong
November 11, 2014 - PopnPour, tasted over 2 hrs and Day 2
-dark red/purple just barely starting to clear on edge
-very aromatic fragrant dark fruit, touch of black olive tapenade then starts to shut down a bit while picking up a stony quality
-med- acidity, remarkably fresh clean ripe but not over-ripe dark fruits on sappy but not heavy mid-palate, hint of black pepper, trace oak and slight smokiness on med length finish with med/med- tannins starting to resolve
-this is a fantastically pure and elegant CA syrah in an excellent early drinking window; bummed this is the last (and best) of 3 bottles
March 5, 2013 - A little surprised at the poor reviews. A lithe, nimble Syrah- very bright and mineral forward. A hint of smokiness on the finish. Good stuff, unique from Cali.