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
95 Points
Lofty aromas of dark cherries, blackberries, and plum mingle with hints of baking spices and a touch of violet. The palate reveals luscious flavors of ripe berries, complemented by notes of black pepper and a subtle earthiness. With well-integrated tannins and a long lingering finish.
Exceptional!
Reddish-purple in color with aromas of blackberry, plum, pomegranate, herbs de Provence, and licorice. The palate is full, structured and balanced with blackberry, currant, black cherry, cassis, and licorice that carries through, with notes of black pepper, mocha and chocolate. Very long, spicy, with a fruit-driven finish. Great aging potential.
92 Points
Inviting aromas of ripe cherry, strawberry, and pomegranate. The palate unfolds with layered flavors of black cherry, raspberry cordial, vanilla bean and spice, where focused tannins envelop, leading to a rich red fruit finish with blue fruit undertones.
90 Points
Rich and voluptuous with ripe raspberry, cherry, and plum, layered with hints of lavender, fig compote, and exotic spice. Concentrated and complex, the palate is a balanced interplay cocoa, and a hint of espresso, creating both richness and intrigue. Vibrant acidity and silky tannins that contribute heft and length that coat the palate with luscious ripeness that keeps on giving.
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.
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.
94 Points
Deep garnet in color from the ripe 2018 vintage, with open aromas of lush fruit – plum, blackberry, and cherry, and notes of cedar, vanilla, and white pepper. Across the palate it's quite seamless and silky, rich and concentrated. The fruit flavors are bold and vibrant. Mouth-filling with smooth tannins, great texture and a long delicious finish.
96 Points
Aromas of blackberry, black cherry, huckleberry, floral violet and savory spice. The palate is full and layered, with robust, age-worthy tannins and gorgeous flavors of dark berries, mocha and chocolate-covered cherries mingling with hints of graphite, fig and fine leather. Smooth tannins, firm structure and silky texture coat the palate on route to a long, generous finish.
94 Points
Rich and generous, with a deep purple hue. Aromas of crushed violets, ripe berries, blueberry pop-tarts, black currant, licorice, chocolate-coated espresso beans, allspice, and cedar box. Full-bodied with a plush, velvety texture.
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.
94 Points
A classic expression of coastal influenced Chardonnay with aromas of honey, apple chutney, lime blossom, and gentle Indian spice box undertones. A big juicy entry on the palate, showing a silky texture with excellent tension and structure, ending with a complex, layered finish.
94 Points
Juice explodes right out of the glass with its dark purple in color and bursting aromas of black cherry jam, boysenberry, raspberry and wild cherry interlaced with hints of baking spice, espresso bean, and toasted nut. The palate is ripe and juicy with flavors of dark cherry, huckleberry and raspberry perfectly integrated with notes of spice, dark chocolate, and a kiss of toasty oak.
