2004 Nickel & Nickel Hudson Vineyard Syrah

I have a special place in my liver for N&N.

FIRST IMPRESSION = It’s tart. Doesn’t have a huge tannic backbone…and the lighter alcohol keeps it from ever overpowering.

Slow to open.

Nose is minty…eucalyptus & rosemary. There is also the unmistakable scent of dark berries – raspberries and strawberry. Some earthy ‘bret’ to it too.

Overall, this is not overpowering – which is good. It doesn’t burn the palate either…its a cool weather syrah (even though its from carneros).

COLOR = Deep ruby and brick, not the blackish purple that some bad arse Aussies can be. That should tell you something about this syrah. I actually just looked at my wifes glass, which is on the counter, and it’s ALMOST purple….if that makes sense.

TASTE = The minty/earthiness comes thru first…but as it opens a little, it opens to a some meaty/gamey notes. Seems like something that you’d get from Washington rather than AUS. This isn’t a bad thing.

SIDE NOTE = Apparantly there are some pretty big name folks who source from Hudson Vineyard: Neyers, Lewis, Havens, Plumpjack…

Here’s what the winemaker says.