2012 Kongsgaard Syrah Hudson Vineyard

Broad aromas of dark chocolate, smoked sausage, orange rind and flowers; smells a bit like young Hermitage. Fat, savory and very ripe; this is more about soil tones than primary fruit in the early going Very broad, chocolatey and sweet but a bit dumb right now. Finishes with substantial ripe, complex, fully buffered tannins. Kongsgaard compared this wine to a 1982 Bordeaux: "fleshy and forward early, with the fruit buried, but it has no shortcomings and will age very well." This wine will need at least four or five years to burn off some of its baby fat. (ST) 93+

Very dark purple indeed. Vines on Atlas Peak. Real richness with energy. Sweet liquorice and life and great energy. Very strong statement – massive but beautifully balanced. Very exciting. Great tension on the end. Not trying to be Côte Rôtie. Dark and composty. (JR)

The 2012 Syrah Hudson Vineyard is rich and voluptuous to the core, with considerable density and raciness to burn. Smoke, cedar, tobacco, spice and leather notes wrap around a core of dark red stone fruit. Today, the 2012 remains incredibly primary. The style is unquestionably ripe and exotic, while the oak is going to need time to further integrate. I would give the 2012 a few years in bottle to allow some of the baby fat to melt away. There is no hurry, as the 2012 is likely to remain compelling for many years.