2002 Hyde De Villaine Syrah Hyde Vineyard Carneros (750ml)

"89(+?) out of 100 - Bright medium ruby. Smoky, minerally aromas of cassis, bitter chocolate, tobacco and black pepper. Juicy, sappy and firm-edged, with dense, primary flavors of black cherry, licorice, pepper and herbs. A very minerally, nicely concentrated syrah that tightened up in the glass. Finishes quite firm, relying more on its rather bracing acids than its tannins for backbone. These Hyde de Villaine wines, a joint venture between the Hyde (Carneros) and de Villaine (Burgundy) families, are decidedly French in style." - Stephen Tanzer, vinous.com