2008 Hudson Vineyard Syrah “Pleine de Chene”

Napa Carneros

The third in a series of three wines showing the interplay between a great terroir and winemaking techniques. This wine was fermented in new puncheons and barrels. Following completion of fermentation the wine was barreled down to 100% new French oak from particularly high-impact coopers. This is, by far, the most “new world” of the three wines, inspired by new-wave wines of Australia and the Rhone. More oak, more alcohol, more fruit, more everything!

Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar, May/Jun 10

($42) Deep ruby with a bright rim. Brooding, deep aromas of blackcurrant, olive and licorice are lifted by a violet topnote. Then compellingly lush and full in the mouth, with lovely sweetness to the seamless flavors of black and blue fruits, licorice pastille and minerals. Supple, broad, fine-grained tannins spread out to coat the palate on the spicy, focused, very persistent finish. This is the most complete wine of this trio.

93 points

50 cases made

$39 |Release will be in the autumn of 2010