WTN: 2003 Hug Cellars Syrah Bassetti Vineyard

2003 Hug Cellars Syrah Bassetti Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, San Luis Obispo County (3/10/2008)
Wow, what a great surprise. This wine is rounding out very well. A few years ago I had the chance to try a number of Hug wines with some age on them and I really enjoyed them. I liked this wine in its infancy but now it is turning the corner. Great spice and floral elements on the nose mix perfectly with the dark fruits and orange rind. At firs the acid is a bit to much in front but after a few hours it all balances very well. The tannins are soft and I think the drinking window is opening. If you want bigger fruit I would drink now. I do think the complexity will increase for at least 2 or 3 years but I think I'll pop another before mid year. (92 pts.)

Cheers,

Jason

thanks for notes. Any chance you've tasted the '02 recently?

Jason, I have never seen the Hug wines in my neck of the woods, but do have some of the 2003 and 2005 Bassetti vineyard syrah from ESJ. I haven't been bold \enough to try either and had not intended to for at least 2 more years. Have you had a Bassetti from the 2005 vintage yet? When do you think it will be time to try them? Steve seems to think they 05's will go 20 years or more if well stored. Not sure I have 20 years left to wait on them though.

thanks for notes. Any chance you've tasted the '02 recently?

It has been 2 years since I tasted it. My notes say it was drinking great then. I don't have any but if I did ... I would open it. When I tasted it, we had a lot of wines and it was my favorite.

Jason

Jason, I have never seen the Hug wines in my neck of the woods, but do have some of the 2003 and 2005 Bassetti vineyard syrah from ESJ. I haven't been bold \enough to try either and had not intended to for at least 2 more years. Have you had a Bassetti from the 2005 vintage yet? When do you think it will be time to try them? Steve seems to think they 05's will go 20 years or more if well stored. Not sure I have 20 years left to wait on them though.

I have note had anything from Bassetti in 05 but I would think they are drinking okay now ... but may be tightening up. Unless you are going for young primary fruit ... which may already be settling down, I would wait at leas another 2-3 years.

I think this Hug will go many more years but it will become a very different wine. I generally am more impacted by older wines ... but some people find no joy in them.


Jason

[Jenise]

Jason, I got so excited when I saw your title, thought, "Finally, I have a wine that Jason reports on!" But no, I have the 04. Hopefully your description applies about this time next year.

I have note had anything from Bassetti in 05 but I would think they are drinking okay now ... but may be tightening up. Unless you are going for young primary fruit ... which may already be settling down, I would wait at leas another 2-3 years.

I think this Hug will go many more years but it will become a very different wine. I generally am more impacted by older wines ... but some people find no joy in them.
Jason

Thanks for the comeback Jason. I too am fond of secondary and even tertiary flavors in red wine. In fact sometimes I wonder why I hang on so long to some of the wines I do keep. If I ever find the Hug wines I would pick up one or two to have beside the ESJ, t'would make for an interesting comparison.

Jason..I DO have a bottle of the 02....we should crack it soon.....

Augie Hug's wines seem to get better and better with every year...in bottle...and out of the chute...an underappreciated producer, in my book.....

Jason..I DO have a bottle of the 02....we should crack it soon.....

"We" .... um okay.... I'll bring the 03.

Jason