2013 Kongsgaard Syrah Hudson Vineyard

(15.5% alcohol; 3.9 pH; 6.3 acidity): Bright medium ruby. Musky black raspberry, smoked meat, bacon fat and gunflint on the nose. Densely packed, classically dry and superconcentrated, conveying outstanding youthful energy to its sharply delineated flavors of dark fruits, spices, wild herbs and underbrush. Boasts an incredibly fine-grained texture and noble tannins, finishing with outstanding length and lift. This Syrah has all the elements for greatness. Kongsgaard cited the vintage's "perfect combination of muscle and cushioning."

Bright medium ruby. Musky black raspberry, smoked meat, bacon fat and gunflint on the nose. Densely packed, classically dry and superconcentrated, conveying outstanding youthful energy to its sharply delineated flavors of dark fruits, spices, wild herbs and underbrush. Boasts an incredibly fine-grained texture and noble tannins, finishing with outstanding length and lift. This Syrah has all the elements for greatness. Kongsgaard cited the vintage's "perfect combination of muscle and cushioning." (ST) 96+

Kongsgaard also makes an amazing Syrah from a clone he obviously knows a lot about, because it does remind one of a great Côte-Rôtie such as Guigal’s La Landonne. Both the 2014 and 2013 are just loaded with notes of beef blood, grilled steak, raw beef, chocolate, asphalt, truffle and black olive tapenade. The 2013 has even more body and richness, and is a dead ringer for a great Côte-Rôtie from Guigal, especially one with no Viognier in it. It is pure meat, blood and black fruits. Drink it over the next 15-20 years, although I found it irresistible when I tasted it.