The 2001 Syrah may be the finest yet produced by Kongsgaard. It is a dead ringer for a more exotic version of Chapoutier's great Le Pavillon (from 80+ year old vines planted in granite soils on the Hermitage Hill). Aromas of white chocolate ground pepper blackberries cassis liqueur and flowers (lilacs?) is followed by a wine of great density a certain exoticism and powerful thick huge flavors oozing with extract glycerin and personality. There is also considerable tannin as well as decent acidity. This is about as close to a northern Rhone as Kongsgaard Syrahs get. Look for this 2001 to tighten up considerably and be at its finest between 2007-2020. The mystical John Kongsgaard is one heck of a winemaker. These are low tech artisinal offerings that eschew commercial yeasts bacterial strains and enzymes. Of course they are bottled naturally with no fining or filtration. What one gets is the essence of the varietal vintage and vineyard.As readers know these wines are sold via a mailing list. Fax (707) 963-4512

The 2001 Syrah Hudson Vineyards is in a great spot, where it has softened quite a bit and yet still has plenty of life ahead of it. Spice, blood orange, menthol, dried herbs and earthy notes all run through the 2001. I suppose the 2001 is a bit rustic and brawny, but its easy to look past that given how much pleasure there is in tasting a fine, aged Napa Valley Syrah. -- Antonio Galloni