TN: Hug Cellars 2004 Bassetti Vineyard Syrah

WINE TALK
1

I don’t post tasting notes too often, but this bottle was truly exceptional. Dark but not inky color, blackberry and loads of spice on the nose, along with smoked meat and a touch of black pepper. The acidity keeps it lively on the palate - not overly big or heavy at all - and the spicy and savory components really take over here. The tannins are resolving nicely, and the finish is very long. Only 13.1% alcohol too. I think this is hitting its peak drinking window although there should be plenty of good years left for this wine.

The whole experience of drinking this wine was really more than the sum of the parts I’ve noted. Just about everything a cool-climate California Syrah should be, and the best bottle of wine I’ve opened this year.

2

Thanks, Ken - happy to have your notes. If they are infrequent, as you say, perhaps they carry more impact!

13.1% alcohol is indeed quite low! Sounds very interesting, to be sure.

3

Might have to dig into one of the '04s. In fact, I still have some '02s and a bunch of '03s. Do you suppose the '04 is just more ready to drink, given the vintage?

4

Haven’t opened an '02 or '03 lately. The '02 should be good, it was always a bigger and riper wine by Bassetti Vineyard standards and was showing very well even shortly after release. Probably as good a time as any to try the '03 - I recall that was a less ripe vintage at Bassetti. And not sure about the Rena Block bottlings, since those had more new oak and I always figured they would take longer to integrate than the regular Hug Bassettis. Don’t think I’ve opened a Rena Block in quite awhile.

5

If my inventory is up to date, I have two of six left. My notes from November indicate that the tannins were resolving and I would drink the remainders within a year or two.

Good juice. Ya gotta love Augie, too! [berserker.gif]