David Shaw

9.1

Estate Rosé Syrah, Walla Walla Valley. Reddish pink with an orange tinge, excellent clarity. White floral notes in nose. Strawberry and white pepper flavors with a hint of bing cherry, mineral and white pepper finish. Moderate astringency, skin and seed, enough to warrant decanting or patience (at least two hours). Strawberry and white pepper aftertaste with a hint of spearmint. Just enough acidity, but there’s a soft rounded mouthfeel under all those tannins. A serious and challenging but worthy rosé, one I like and that pushes the boundaries of the genre, but not all will like it. — 2 days ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.4

The 2016 'In The Hills' Syrah is a gorgeous showing in this vintage from Matt Reynvaan. This begins with inviting aromas of blackberries, smoked meat, wet rocks, Umami, bacon fat and blood orange rind on the highly perfumed nose. The palate shows an absolutely incredible mouthfeel with wonderful freshness and streaks of minerality. The combination of richness and tension is hard to resist right now as the stony character and herbaceousness seems to take center stage. Flavors of black tea, wild blackberry, orange zest and a just a touch of milk chocolate continue to build on the palate. While this should cellar well for a decade, it is simply stunning right now. Drink 2019-2028- 94 — 8 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

A little cool coming out of the cellar. Mid cherry in colour with a tawny rim. Light cherry notes and a tarry note but not giving a lot. On the palate barely medium weight. An hour after decanting it had gained weight with plumper red fruits also becoming more gamey and savoury. Fine persistent Tannins. I have always enjoyed Cote Rotie but this was lighter than I am used to. — a day ago

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9.1

Compelling for its blend of richness and finesse, this intriguing Rosé from southern France shows intense, mineral-accented red fruit and floral character. Creamy texture and depth of flavor belies its vibrancy, finishing with superb persistence and leaving a suave honeysuckle note behind. (Josh Raynolds, Vinous, August 2019) — 6 days ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.7

Germany does Hermitage. This is a stunning wine and can easily compete with the top the Rhone has to offer. Incredible stuff. Syrah has a bright future in Baden as well. Unreal perfume. Red berry fruit, superbly detailed, so mineral, bittersweet cocoa, tobacco, almost cassis and a hint of blackberry. So aromatic. Just amazing. Palate has stunning concentration and also stunning freshness. It is so fine. So nimble, almost Rieslingesque in its nimble fresh character. Wonderful tannins and the level of liveliness on the palate is like nothing else. Amazing hit of mid palate opulence. God this stunning. So textured. Such an amazing expression of place, soil and stunning freshness. Maybe the freshest Syrah I’ve ever had. Amazing velvety tannins. Finish is a mile long. Will age but super accessible today. One of the best wines I’ve ever had from Ziereisen. Just epic.
— 4 days ago

with Matthew

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.9

The stunning, profound and downright decadent ‘Trouver l’arene’ Syrah is an opulent blend of 80.5% Syrah, with 7% Petite Syrah, 7% Mourvèdre, 2% Grenache and 3.5% Viognier, which were sourced from their estate vineyards. The wine was aged in both neutral and new French oak for 22 months prior to bottling. On the nose this exudes class with sagebrush accents that collide with the blueberry pie, blackberry cordial and potpourri aromatics that all build steam in the glass. The texture to this wine exudes class. Ripe black cherry syrup, Turkish coffee, tar and leather with shades of sweetened licorice all impress on the palate. While a delight to savor in its youth, this stunning wine will evolve well over the next fifteen plus years. Drink 2019-2035- 99 — a month ago

Severn Goodwin

9.3

50/50 Syrah & Petite Syrah blend.

Color, it's so purple and dark! Reminds me of Heitz 'Ink Grade' Port.

Nose has ripe, crushed blueberry and blackberry, light creamy oak, cut plum, prune and just a touch of baking spice.

Palate has blueberry juice with acidity subdued by mellow oak, crushed blackberry, black currant, faint cedar plank, moist-tanned leather and light black pepper.

After ~3hr decant we still had trailing heat from the alcohol (15.2% ABV), but it disapated in another hour or so. A great paring with some local Delmonico steaks on the grill, cooked to a beautiful 130°F.
When good protein is served at our house eight paws will be in waiting on our dining table. My wife and I only take two of our six chairs, others will have one hungry 🐈 each. We all enjoyed a great meal tonight, some albeit some with much smaller portions.

This is the youngest version of this bottle in our cellar, the 2010 can easily reach 2023-25. — 20 days ago

Jim McCusker

9.5

Opened this yesterday. It was good, but it is so much better today. Incredible nose, balance, and elegance. Awesome. — 6 days ago

with Vanessa

Scott Soren

9.8

Ok. This is my personal favorite wine, no matter the vintage, varietal or the dollar value. If i was granted one wine forever, this is it. As a Rhône warrior it exceeds expectations, and drinks like an amazing burgundy. Still young, no nose upon opening. An hour later this massive floral nose permeates though the rum of the glass. Tannins not fully integrated yet with a pleasant acidity. Time is beyond its friend. Earth tones are present along with expresso and tobacco. Red fruit front and center with a long finish. Wish this could be everyday Allday. — 7 days ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.4

A beast as expected but so much freshness and length. Nose is gorgeous. Lovely blackberry, granite and hint of funk. Floral and gamey with some herbal aspects as well. Lovely raspberry. So fresh and pure. Deep and layered. Palate is rich and ripe with serious structure and freshness. Big tannins and a bit backwards now but it’s all there and has insane length and freshness. — 4 days ago