The nose in this Napa Valley Syrah offers copious aromas of black fruits –black cherry, currant, and blackberry– and a thread of smoky licorice. On the palate, it is lush and delicious. The black fruit comes forward, ripe and plump, and stays at the forefront right into the long finish. Classic California Syrah notes do work their way in, including smoked bacon, white pepper, and rosemary.
For pairings, this wine calls out for a rare hamburger with gorgonzola cheese and caramelized onions. Another great option would be roasted duck with a soy and honey glaze. Otherwise, drink this at an upscale party. It has enough charm and fruit for the wine newbies but sports the complexity to keep the more jaded palates interested.
Novy is well known for its Syrahs, and rightfully so. It produces some fantastic single-vineyard bottlings, including my personal favorite, Gary’s Vineyard Syrah. The winery is co-owned by the same family that runs Siduri Wines, and the wines are produced at Siduri’s winery. They even share the same winemaker, the charmingly opinionated Adam Lee. The great difference between the two –despite some differences in ownership– is that Siduri specializes in Pinot Noir, while Novy focuses on Syrah.