2001
SYRAH THOMPSON
Santa Barbara County
So close to White
Hawk Vineyard, and yet Thompson Vineyard is a completely different
expression of syrah. It is big, chunky, and fruity. Compared to
the White Hawk, its spiciness lurks more in the background and
has a very different character. Instead of being oceanic, it is
rather like some exotic spice-cardamom perhaps. And besides the
fruit, there is always an animal character to this wine that is
quite provocative. Like all the Thompson syrahs we have made,
this wine is for someone willing to wait. You could drink them
young if you wanted, but you'd be committing infanticide. The
1997 (Henry Daniel) and the 1998 are just beginning to open up--but
that is about it; the younger vintages need more time. This particular
wine is less tannic than the 2000 or the 1999, and has great balance.
It's not over-the-top, but that being said, it still needs quite
a few years before it will be at its best.
High Resolution Label