2002 Hyde de Villaine Syrah
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Tasting notes
The Syrah is made in an elegant, French style. The 2002 Syrah reveals a deep, dark ruby color along with a sweet nose of black cherries, mountain berries, flowers, and white pepper. Crisp, tart acidity, medium body, and a clean finish suggest this French-styled Syrah should drink well for 4-6 years. It is vaguely reminiscent of a low-keyed St.-Joseph. I also tasted the proprietary red wine in both the 2002 and 2001 vintages. A Merlot-dominated blend with a small amount of Cabernet Sauvignon, it seems to err in trying to be too French-like when, in fact, the vineyard is in California. The first two vintages are pleasant, but surprisingly innocuous. These wines are brokered by Wilson-Daniels. Tel. (707) 963-9661; Fax (707) 963-8566
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Average Score
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Bright medium ruby. Smoky, minerally aromas of cassis, bitter chocolate, tobacco and black pepper. Juicy, sappy and firm-edged, with dense, primary flavors of black cherry, licorice, pepper and herbs. A very minerally, nicely concentrated syrah that tightened up in the glass. Finishes quite firm, relying more on its rather bracing acids than its tannins for backbone. These Hyde de Villaine wines, a joint venture between the Hyde (Carneros) and de Villaine (Burgundy) families, are decidedly French in style.