2003 Copain Syrah Hawks Butte
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Tasting notes
The awesome 2003 Syrah Hawk’s Butte, is, like the Eaglepoint Ranch cuvee, performing even better out of bottle than it did from cask. An inky/purple-colored, profound Syrah with a layered mouthfeel, and a huge nose of pen ink, blackberry liqueur, graphite, and flowers, it boasts full body, sensational concentration, and a blockbuster finish. It will benefit from another 1-2 years of bottle age, and last for 10-12 years, possibly longer. It’s hard not to enjoy a visit with Wells Guthrie given his enthusiasm and passion for accessing top-notch vineyards and producing high quality wines. His impressive resume includes positions with Michel Chapoutier and Gerard Chave as well as a short stint as a journalist for The Wine Spectator. Guthrie is one of the Rhone Ranger mavericks who utilizes considerable stems in his winemaking as well as a variety of barrels, ranging from small casks to the large, 600-liter demi-muids. Such Old World winemaking techniques as minimal intervention, natural yeast fermentations, and no fining or filtration has resulted in thrilling wines of undeniable character and personality. Tel. (707) 541-7474; Fax (707) 541-7575
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
(50% whole clusters; from soil rich in friable rock, quartz and schist that Guthrie describes as "like the Cote Brune") Saturated ruby. Highly complex nose of blackberry, violet, gunflint and brown spices. Primary, sappy and sweet, with the flavors of black fruits, licorice and violet showing impressive energy and definition. Brisk and firm but pliant, and not at all hard. Already showing lovely incipient complexity, but this will be even better for a couple years of patience.