2004 HdV Syrah (Hyde Vineyard)
In an elegant Northern Rhône style, the wine shows a seductive and tender texture, with a vibrant core of blackberry and game as well as exotic spices, which lead to a long, floral finish.
"The 2004 HdV Syrah should continue to improve for another five to ten years. Serve around 64°F and enjoy with venison, a rack of lamb, prime ribs, or a barbecued salmon."
Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
Rating: 92 points
"Good ruby-red color. Highly aromatic nose combines blackberry, cassis, smoked meat, truffle, graphite and violet; I might have guessed Cote-Rote. Juicy, precise and light on it's feet, with lively flavors of blackberry and violet. This has the weight and silkiness - not to mention the elegance and energy - of pinot noir. Quite suave on the back end, finishing with a very fine-grained tannins and lovely lift...."
January/February 2007
Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wine
Rating: 92 points
"Deeply fruited, generously oaked and well-focused on varietal spice, the latest HdV bottling gets right to the richness that is inherent in the grape without making any sacrifi ce to excessive ripeness. It is big but supple and polished in feel, and it shows plentiful extract, yet its sense of refi nement remains all the way to the end, its tannins notwithstanding. So neatly crafted, in fact, that it can be enjoyed soon with a juicy rack of lamb, it is a quite ageworthy wine with a future that is at least as attractive as its wholly compelling present."
November 2006
Wine Enthusiast (Best of the Year Issue)
Rating: 90 points
"From the Hyde vineyard comes this viscous wine, dripping with blackberry cola, cherry pie, chocolate cappuccino and vanilla créme brülee flavors. How delicious is that? Still, the wine is dry, with ripe, smooth tannins that make you want another sip. Would score higher if there were more concentration and depth."
December 2006
International Wine Cellar
Rating: 90 points
"Deep red-ruby. Musky, wild aromas of espresso, meat, tobacco leaf, licorice and mint. Generous, supple and creamy in the mouth, with subtle notes of leather, pepper and spices. This offers lovely varietal character and length."
-Stephen Tanzer, January/February 2007, Issue 124
i-WineReview
Rating: 91 points
HdV - 2004 Syrah, Hyde Vineyard
"This bottling has a good deal of red and black fruit, dark cherries and coffee. It is still young and rather tight in character. The texture, concentration, and fruit suggest this wine will only improve with further aging."
-Jay Youmans, MW and Mike Potashnik, Ph.D, Publishers, International Wine Review, December 2006