2010 Joseph Phelps Syrah Hyde & Sons Vineyard

The 2010 Syrah Larry Hyde & Sons Vineyard wraps around the palate with deep, expressive black olives, cracked black pepper and spices. This is a decidedly ripe, fleshy wine but more on overt fruit rather than varietal character, but it is quite pretty just the same. The aromas and flavors retain significant purity throughout.

The 2010 Syrah Larry Hyde & Sons Vineyard wraps around the palate with deep, expressive black olives, cracked black pepper and spices. This is a decidedly ripe, fleshy wine but more on overt fruit rather than varietal character, but it is quite pretty just the same. The aromas and flavors retain significant purity throughout. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2024. Winemaker Ashley Hepworth has done a fabulous job with these new releases. While most of the attention at Phelps centers around the flagships Insignia and Backus, over the last few years I have been equally impressed with the straight Cabernet Sauvignon, a wine that delivers tremendous bang for the buck. In addition to these wines, I also tasted a few Syrahs from the 1970s. Today, Phelps is known for their Cabernet Sauvignons, but it is also worth remembering Joe Phelps was the first grower to introduce Syrah to the Napa Valley several decades ago. Tel. (707) 967-3746

(one-third whole-cluster fermentation; the clones are from Cote-Rotie and Hermitage): Good bright medium ruby. Higher-toned and more floral on the nose than the 2009 version, offering scents of black raspberry, mint, game, pungent spices and exotic flowers. Less meaty and savory than the 2009 but more vibrant and delineated, with a higher pitch to the flavors of blackberry and dusty violet. Finishes lively and persistent, with a serious dusting of tannins. Includes 2% petit verdot from young vines.