91 POINTS - Daniel Rogov
Sometimes our formula at WineHeist is pretty simple: take a great winery, a great vintage, and a great discount, and the result is a winner. Long-time WineHeist customers know that we are huge fans of Napa Valley’s Hagafen Estate, and since they’ve been doing it since 1979, long-time Napa enthusiasts have probably been fans of Hagafen even longer. And if we mention the excellence of the 2007 vintage in California one more time, people might go crazy, so let’s just leave that alone. Suffice to say the 2007 Hagafen Syrah lives up to the standard of both the vintage and the producer, resulting in a stylish, balanced wine perfect for the last of the cold weather, or the first of the spring thaw. And did we mention that a little known fact is that all of their wines also happen to be Kosher.
The just-released 2007 Hagafen Syrah is estate grown and bottled from the Weir Family Vineyard III (the Weirs have owned and done the winemaking for Hagafen from the beginning in 1979). Dark garnet in color, with an exotic nose of coffee, mint, chocolate and spring flowers. The palate shows classic Syrah flavors of smoked meat, pepper, and dark chocolate. Medium bodied and with good acidity, this is definitely a “French” style Syrah, where fruit is not the driving force behind the wine, a welcome change of pace from high-octane, syrupy Syrah that can be incredibly fatiguing. Balance and elegance are the word of the day for this one, meaning that it will pair wonderfully with a variety of dishes. A perfect wine for any dinner party with multiple courses or hard to pair side dishes!
Vintage: 2007
Varietal: Syrah
Appellation: Napa Valley
Sugar: 24.5 Brix at harvest
Acid: 5.6 g/L
pH: 3.84
Alcohol %: 13.8
Gold Medal
Generously packed with black cherry, cola, cassis, and plum that all intermingle together in a creamy, velvety texture with great layering, finishing with delightful notes of oak and spice. Persistent, well-defined structure, wonderfully balanced.
97 Points
Aromas of blackberries, graphite, and crushed rock, along with cedar, tobacco leaf, cassis, and a medley of dry herbs and spice.
A substantial mouthfeel, full-bodied structure, firm tannins gracefully interweave, establishing a flawless equilibrium of acidity and pleasing fruit. Well-balanced acidity collaborate harmoniously to accentuate the intricate flavors of berry compote, spices, and oak nuances reminiscent of mocha.
95 Points
This stellar Napa Valley Red Blend marries lush plum and cherry with Malbec's dark berry depth and Petit Verdot's structure and spice. Layered with notes of blackberry, violet, and cocoa, this silky wine finishes with smooth tannins and a whisper of toasted oak. Robust and mouth-filling, with spicy nuances, smooth tannins, firm structure, and a long lingering finish.
97 Points
Lush and fleshy, with cassis, boysenberry, and blackberry notes guided by hints of alder and mesquite. Stays open but defined through the finish, with a buried hint of sweet tobacco. A rich, layered beast, this has a nose rife with currants, blackberries, vanilla, and light toast with flavors of mocha, plum, and Bing cherry that mingle harmoniously on the tongue.
97 Points
Rich dark fruit flavors of blackberry and cherry with notes of baking spices, licorice, coffee, and chocolate that interlace seamlessly with complexity, creating a wine that is both structured and delightfully supple, achieving an ideal balance of tension and grace. Artfully composed of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon with 17% Cabernet Franc, resulting in harmonious depth and freshness.
98 Points
Deep purple hue and an alluring aromatic profile of fresh blue fruits and delicate violets. On the palate, it delivers a seamless and layered texture, framed by supple, polished tannins and a refined sense of balance. Elegantly structured, it offers remarkable purity and finesse, finishing with graceful length and poise.
Gold Medal
Light pink in color with aromas of watermelon, cranberry, orange rind, and fresh spring flowers that leap from the glass. The palate offers more peach, strawberry, and melon, with an intriguing note of rose and hibiscus. It's crisp with just the perfect hint of red fruit, and delicate whisper of strawberry that gives goosebumps.
92 Points
Lofty aromas of ripe red fruits layered with notes of crushed violets, berry cobbler, cherry and creme brulee leading into crushed blackberry with cassis, mocha, leather, mineral, and baking spice. Its all encompassing and bold mouthfeel are outstanding, as deep tannins dance around the palate, finishing with flavors of blackberry, fig, and pipe tobacco.
