HdV Californio Syrah

Flavors of rich, black cherries and Asian plum open to black pepper, smoked red meat, and cigar box. Seductive aromas of sweet lavender and truffle are juxtaposed by layers of iron minerality and crushed Friar plum. Its restrained power and mouthwatering acidity are delicately balanced with integrated tannins that promise years of aging. With purity of fruit and complex spices, this wine entices the senses and captures attention.

2015

Vinous 93: The 2015 Syrah Californio Hyde Vineyard is pliant, supple and very beautiful, with silky tannins that push the red-toned fruit forward. This is a decidedly medium in body, restrained wine for the year. Still very primary and fruity, with pretty overtones from a touch of whole clusters, the 2015 is going to need a few years in bottle to develop the full range of its aromatics. Stylistically, this is a Syrah with Pinot-like leanings.

2017

James Suckling 94: Meat and spice with some pepper and fresh herbs. Tea leaf and tobacco, too. Attractive dark fruit. Raspberries, some blackberries and orange zest. Medium-to full-bodied with round, tight tannins and a fine finish. Shows pretty texture. I like the firmness and spiciness. Drink now.

2018

Wine Advocate 95+: The 2018 Syrah Californio, aged 15-16 months in 20% new French oak, is fragrant and seamless. Blackcurrants, plums and blueberries are accented by touches of violet, coffee bean, potting soil and cast iron on the nose. The medium-bodied palate is granular and lifted, with ringing violet perfume and a very long, layered finish. It's stunning straight from bottle (and highly drinkable at just 13.9% alcohol), but it offers the concentration and freshness to develop savory complexity in the cellar over the next decade or more.

James Suckling 96: It really smells like Cote-Rotie with purple fruit, grilled meat, tar, ink and oyster shell. Blood orange too. Medium-bodied with firm tannins and asphalt. Wonderful length and polish. Long and very precise. Give it time to open and show itself on the palate. Try after 2025.

Vinous 98+: The 2018 Syrah Californio Hyde Vineyard is dark and explosive in the glass. Ripe red cherry, plum, chocolate, leather and licorice open first, followed by more typical Syrah notes of black pepper, game, tobacco, incense and leather that add a striking upper register. The 2018 was done entirely with destemmed fruit, yet it has plenty of savory energy. I must admit, I am generally not the biggest fan of Syrahs from Hyde, but the 2018 is a flat-out stunner.

2019

James Suckling 96: 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.

Vinous 96: 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.