Ray Vanderhoff

9.0

Blend of Grenache (67%), Mourvèdre (23%) and Syrah (10%). Dark ruby color. Aromas of ripe red fruits, spices, leather and red flowers. Flavors of sour cherry, raspberry, currants, pomegranate and cranberry fruit along with hints of spices, tobacco, coffee and minerals. Touches of gamey meat and black pepper on the medium-plus finish. Medium bodied, smooth tannins and medium-plus acidity. Improved with aeration. Combines elements of both power and elegance. — 7 days ago

Scott E. Becker

9.1

[Tasted on October 11, 2024 at Home with Jay, Eric and Lillie]

Wine is Annabelle’s Block Pinot Noir from Klopp Ranch in Russian River Valley. Purchased wine at Donelan tasting organized by Ned and Beth on May 8, 2024. Tart black cherry, boysenberry and black currant fruit, with nice acidity, spice and chalky note. — 9 months ago

Shay A

9.4

I opened this with some friends and it was alongside a 2003 Saxum Bone Rock (good, drink up), 2013 Donelan Obsidian (wow! Cayuse like), a 2013 SQN Le Supplement (massive and spectacular), and a 2016 The Third Twin Nuestra (feral, wild, cerebral).

While this was a fantastic bottle, I think it’s going to get slightly better (it bulked up and added a touch more of everything on day two). Undeniably Cayuse in style, but more northern Rhône Syrah than new world Syrah. Aromatically you are hit with that classic funk that Cayuse is known for...black olive, iron, mineral, and fox fur. Not sure of the whole cluster use here but it comes across as fairly strong/green with fruit notes of underripe black cherry. The splash of Viognier that Cayuse utilizes for their Cailloux makes this so perfumed. On the palate, it really shines showing iron, teriyaki, and olive tapenade. The savoriness of these wines meshes well with the fruit as age sets in and the fruit returns towards the back of the palate...blackberry, mulberry, and spicy rhubarb pie. Fantastic now, possibly outstanding in the next 2-3yrs. If opening soon, decant a couple hours and you’ll be golden. — 5 years ago

with Weston, Jeff and 2 others

Scott E. Becker

9.1

[Tasted on February 28, 2025 at Iggy’s in Nashville with Linda and Joel]

Wine is Cardiac Hill Syrah. Purchased during Donelan tasting hosted by Ned and Beth in May 2024. Red plum fruit with black pepper, mandarin orange, chalk, mushroom and a mint note. — 4 months ago

Scott E. Becker

9.0

[Tasted on December 5, 2024 at Home]

Wine is Cuvée Pierrine from Allen Vineyard in Russian River Valley. Purchased wine at Donelan tasting organized by Ned and Beth on May 8, 2024. Apple and pear fruit, with creaminess and spice. — 7 months ago

Jim McCusker

9.4

Reached pretty far back in the cellar for this one. Pax Mahl was making some terrific wines out of his eponymous winery (Obsidian and Griffin’s Lair were my favorites), until some sort of flare-up between him and Joe Donelan eventually resulted in them splitting the vineyard accesses between them and shutting down the winery. After 15 years, this wine is still going strong. Great example of a cooler climate north coast syrah. — 4 years ago

with Vanessa

Stuart Pollack

9.6

Beautiful Syrah an much better than the 2008. Elegant, dark, contemplative wine with dark fruit and licorice. Nose takes you deep inside your head with blackberry and licorice. Powerful but smooth tannins. More Rhône style than California. Expensive at $83.25 but worth it. — 5 months ago

Scott E. Becker

9.0

[Tasted on November 17, 2024 at Home with Linda]

Cherry, raspberry and strawberry fruit, with tobaccco, earth, spice, cedar and smoke. — 8 months ago

Mike R

9.4

Highly recommend - great Cali Syrah — 4 years ago

Eric I

9.6

At the Donelan Tasting Room - Syrah Grande, best 2 barrels of the vintage — 6 years ago