2016 Keplinger Hangman's

There’s density and realness to this with a tight center palate and fine, velvety tannins. Beautiful intensity and power. A fantastic wine. Syrah at its best. Drink or hold.

Another wine from a cooler region that grows more Chardonnay and Pinot Noir than Syrah, the 2016 Syrah Hangmans comes from the Hudson Vineyard in Carneros and is 95% Syrah and 5% Viognier, aged 16 months in 50% new French oak. This sensational Syrah is up with the crème de la crème and reveals a deep purple color as well as a heavenly bouquet of black and blue fruits, spring flowers, California bay leaf, and serious amounts of meaty, bacony nuances. Full-bodied, about as pure and seamless as it gets, with fine tannins, give bottles 3-4 years and it should cruise for another decade or more.

The 2016 Syrah Hangman's (from Hudson vineyard) contains 7% Viognier and was aged 18 months in 50% new French oak. Deep garnet-purple colored, it offers a beautiful lifted, floral nose of lilacs, chocolate box and oolong tea over a core baked blackberries, preserved plums and asphalt. Medium to full-bodied, the palate bursts forth with the most beautifully perfumed fruit, frame by soft tannins and finishing long and lively. 160 cases were made.