2017 Hawks Butte

It has been nearly twenty years since our first bottling of Hawks Butte Syrah and it has been an enjoyable adventure to experience this vineyard’s evolution over time.  Perched at about 1500 feet above sea level on the rocky hillside of the Yorkville Highlands, the Hawks Butte Syrah produces a pronounced scent of dried blackberry and figs, which are joined by an amalgam of spices such as ground cumin, crushed peppercorns, and dried bay leaf.  On the palate the tannins are quite youthful and firm with a pleasant amount of acidity, suggesting that this wine will certainly age well and can be aided by some decanting.  Flavors of boysenberry and elderberries are met with hints of cigar box on the finish.