2012 Syrah

Winemaker Notes The 2012 Syrah is filled with aromatic ripe raspberry, fresh thyme, dried sage, cigar box and subtle hints of violet. Black cherry, dark plum and pepper spice flavors mingle together in harmony for a long, lingering velvety finish.

Winemaking Data At harvest, grapes were picked at night to preserve optimal temperature control. 20% of the fruit was fermented whole cluster, 65% was destemmed and left whole berry and the balance was destemmed and gently crushed before fermentation, all lots receiving regular punch downs until the desired texture was achieved. The wine was aged for eighteen months in 35% new and 65% two- to three-year-old French oak (a mixture of puncheons and barriques) before bottling in July 2014. The barrel coopers included Ermitage, François Frères and Sirugue.

Vintage Notes The 2012 growing season proved to be excellent from start to finish in Napa Valley. It was a warmer year than the prior three. Bud break occurred during the first two weeks of April and both bloom and veraison took place earlier than 2010 and 2011. August, September and October offered perfect ripening weather for superior fruit with exceptional quality.

Reviews 90-93 Points - Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate
Its opaque purple color is accompanied by classic aromas of licorice, camphor, charcoal, pepper, bouquet garni, roasted meats and lots of blackberry and black currant fruit. (Oct. 2013)

90-92 Points - Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Dark red cherry, plum, spice, mocha and new leather notes flesh out in the 2012 Syrah, a wine distinguished by its aromatic complexity and nuance. A beautifully detailed wine, the 2012 is full of personality and character. Layers of fruit build to the rich, textured finish. There is plenty of potential in this plush, full-bodied Syrah. As always, the straight Syrah is a bit chunkier than the Hyde bottling, but that is more of an observation than a critique. The 2012 was done with 25% whole clusters and a dash (6-7%) of Viognier. (Nov. 2013)