Session with TimT & friends (Table at 7): Tasted blind. Appearance is clear, deep intensity, purple colour. Legs. Nose is clean, medium+ intensity, with aromas of black pepper spice, dark red cherries, leather, chalky earth. Developed. On the palate, dry, medium+ acidity, medium+ alcohol (13.9%), puckery high tannins, full body. Medium+ flavour intensity, with flavours of ripe red cherries, black cherry, black pepper spice, leather, coffee. Medium+ finish. Good quality. Not very exciting other than the prominent classic Syrah black pepperiness. Unlikely to evolve any more with further age. Drink up. A venture between the Hyde Family of Napa Valley and the de Villaine Family of Burgundy.
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Very nice expression of syrah. The californian richness was definitely there but it was remarkably balanced and had an elegant robe around wrapped around ot and giving it great silky mouthfeel.
There were layers of flavours, coffee, leather, black pepper, spices, smoke and other nuances appeared over the 3 hours; very well integrated and softened tannins. Long finish and was just an incredibly delicious and well made wine.
With dinner, it matched the richness of my ragu pasta as well while the cajun pork brought out the pepperiness more due to the spicy nature, but the savoury notes of the caramelized onions and sweetness of the roasted pepper sauce balanced everything out nicely. Marvelous stuff.
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Very nice, plum, cherry leather, a touch of mineralogy (lean?). Balanced and drinking really well. Will last another several years. Very good. Not Aussie or French syrah, it has it's own place.
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It had been years since I last had HdV's 2002 Syrah. The wine has shed a lot of fat over the years. Fruit profile is drying out, taste more leather, peppered steak, rose petal, bittersweet chocolate and black olives in its current stage. Palate is still rich in grilled meats, pepper, with a slight sour cherry tinge.
Overall, this is still a nice wine. I wasn't as "wowed" by it as I was upon release, but this is still an excellent bottle of wine that's aged rather nicely, and clearly in its drinking window.
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New World-y for sure, immediately giving up toasty oak and black olive, but with some nicer fat and floral notes. Dark, peppery fruit. Texturally, it was pleasant and polished, but the presentation was somewhat monotone. I thought the alcohol showed a bit too much at times as well. Pretty decent, otherwise. Glad I got to try it.
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Great balance Syrah - new world forward fruit but old world structure and finish. Northern Rhone alcohol content and backbone. Good bright red fruit on the nose and front palate, nice long full finish.
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Nice nose of red fruits, tobacco, earth and spice. Red and blue fruits with minerals and a hint of lemon on the palate. Silky tannins and upfront acidity.
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Day Trip to Napa (Napa Valley CA): Tasting at winery. Black fruit, modest spice aromas. Subtle black fruit flavors, good balance and textures for young Napa Syrah, also good acidity. Drink 2005-2009.
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11/30/2015 - Derek Darth Taster wrote: 90 Points
Session with TimT & friends (Table at 7): Tasted blind.
Appearance is clear, deep intensity, purple colour. Legs.
Nose is clean, medium+ intensity, with aromas of black pepper spice, dark red cherries, leather, chalky earth. Developed.
On the palate, dry, medium+ acidity, medium+ alcohol (13.9%), puckery high tannins, full body. Medium+ flavour intensity, with flavours of ripe red cherries, black cherry, black pepper spice, leather, coffee. Medium+ finish.
Good quality. Not very exciting other than the prominent classic Syrah black pepperiness. Unlikely to evolve any more with further age. Drink up.
A venture between the Hyde Family of Napa Valley and the de Villaine Family of Burgundy.
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10/31/2012 - Margauxguy wrote: 94 Points
drank with Rob and Sandy, very good
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11/19/2011 - ikileo wrote:
Bottle breathed for 5 hours, drank over 3 hours.
Very nice expression of syrah. The californian richness was definitely there but it was remarkably balanced and had an elegant robe around wrapped around ot and giving it great silky mouthfeel.
There were layers of flavours, coffee, leather, black pepper, spices, smoke and other nuances appeared over the 3 hours; very well integrated and softened tannins. Long finish and was just an incredibly delicious and well made wine.
With dinner, it matched the richness of my ragu pasta as well while the cajun pork brought out the pepperiness more due to the spicy nature, but the savoury notes of the caramelized onions and sweetness of the roasted pepper sauce balanced everything out nicely. Marvelous stuff.
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10/10/2011 - Margauxguy wrote: 91 Points
Very nice, plum, cherry leather, a touch of mineralogy (lean?). Balanced and drinking really well. Will last another several years. Very good. Not Aussie or French syrah, it has it's own place.
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9/22/2011 - Chateau Cabron wrote: 88 Points
It had been years since I last had HdV's 2002 Syrah. The wine has shed a lot of fat over the years. Fruit profile is drying out, taste more leather, peppered steak, rose petal, bittersweet chocolate and black olives in its current stage. Palate is still rich in grilled meats, pepper, with a slight sour cherry tinge.
Overall, this is still a nice wine. I wasn't as "wowed" by it as I was upon release, but this is still an excellent bottle of wine that's aged rather nicely, and clearly in its drinking window.
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1/9/2011 - rhit wrote:
New World-y for sure, immediately giving up toasty oak and black olive, but with some nicer fat and floral notes. Dark, peppery fruit. Texturally, it was pleasant and polished, but the presentation was somewhat monotone. I thought the alcohol showed a bit too much at times as well. Pretty decent, otherwise. Glad I got to try it.
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12/24/2010 - pxstone wrote: 93 Points
Great balance Syrah - new world forward fruit but old world structure and finish. Northern Rhone alcohol content and backbone. Good bright red fruit on the nose and front palate, nice long full finish.
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6/6/2009 - Forint wrote: 90 Points
a little off on nose for first hour - opened into a stunning earthy deep dark cherry with right amount of spice.
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6/6/2009 - gschneider wrote: 93 Points
Wonderful. Full of sharp cherry, spice, with plenty of tannin structure and mint overtones
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2/17/2007 - meatman wrote: 89 Points
Nice nose of red fruits, tobacco, earth and spice. Red and blue fruits with minerals and a hint of lemon on the palate. Silky tannins and upfront acidity.
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2/10/2007 - crickdog25 wrote: 88 Points
Good body and deep finish but gamey, barnyard notes overwhelmed
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1/26/2007 - Trev62 wrote: 90 Points
Really do like this wine. Nose is of Carneros, smokey chocolate. Flavor is quite different. Beautiful and elegant. Love this wine.
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2/18/2005 - Burgundy Al wrote: 88 Points
Day Trip to Napa (Napa Valley CA): Tasting at winery. Black fruit, modest spice aromas. Subtle black fruit flavors, good balance and textures for young Napa Syrah, also good acidity. Drink 2005-2009.
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