2016 Joseph Phelps Syrah Hyde & Sons Vineyard

The 2016 Syrah Larry Hyde & Sons Vineyard comes from a warmer section of Carneros and was fermented with 60% whole clusters and brought up in 30% new puncheons. A Côte Rôtie look-alike, it boasts a stunning bouquet of sweet raspberries fruits, bacon fat, lavender, and ground pepper. This medium-bodied, seamless Syrah shows more and more floral characteristics with time in the glass, has light tannins, and perfect balance, all making for a thrilling Syrah. Drink it any time over the coming decade or so.

The 2016 Syrah Larry Hyde & Sons Vineyard is gorgeous, just as it was from barrel. Dark, dense and also very savory, the Phelps Syrah captures all the best the vintage had to offer. Leather, cedar, black pepper tobacco, menthol, licorice and sweet spice notes add perfume in this super-expressive Syrah. The 2016 has enough depth to drink well for a number of years, although it is super delicious, even today. A dollop of Viognier along with 60% whole clusters, add brightness. This is a gorgeous wine.

The 2016 Syrah Larry Hyde & Sons Vineyard is blended of 95% Syrah and 5% Viognier co-fermented, with 60% whole-cluster fermentation. It was aged 18 months in 41% new French oak puncheons. Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, it sashays out of the glass with seductive black cherry compote, kirsch and violets scents with hints of black tea, cracked pepper, garrigue and charcuterie with wafts of cloves and cinnamon stick. Medium to full-bodied, the palate delivers an arresting intensity of perfumed cherries layers with a beautiful plush texture and incredible vivacity, finishing very long and spicy. 800 cases produced.