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2021

Block 16 Syrah

Block Highlight Series

Winemaking

Aged 18 months in 20% new French oak, 50% puncheon.

Place

This comes from the highest planting on WeatherEye, a small north-facing, 1-meter by 2-meter block. It has immediately distinguished itself from the Red Mountain side and shows a great complexity.

Winemaker’s Notes

This is a more savage and bloody take on Syrah. A little more red tayberry, boysenberry, pomegranate, dried savory and thyme, marjoram, iron shavings, red clay, charcoal embers, freshly sawn walnut wood. Wild and unruly on the palate, with potent berry and beet reduction, wild herbs, bittersweet cocoa powder, and crushed olive leading the way to a long and savory finish. The structure of this wine promises a long life ahead.


Desert sunset, sunbaked Provence villa, late summer garden-tending, bawdy saloon song

AVA

Columbia Valley

Drink

2028 - 2038

$70 / 750ml bottle

Scores & Reviews

96

Points

The first thought is "wow" while taking in the bouquet of the 2021 Syrah Block 16 WeatherEye Vineyard Block Highlight Series. This is hauntingly dark yet amazingly lifted and fresh with crushed violet and dried-citrus tones, a dusting of confectioners spice and woodland berries above nuances of scorched earth. Creamy and lifted, it possesses cooling acidity and mineral tones that further enhance its crisp blackberry fruit. Sour citrus adds contrast. While only lightly structured with fine-grained tannins, the 2021 leaves a sensation of youthful poise with mentholated herb and cacao notes. This will be an exciting wine to follow over the next ten to fifteen years. The Block 16 was refined for eighteen months in 20% new French oak, 50% puncheon.

- Eric Guido, Vinous

94-96

Points

Coming from a block just beside the High Canyon block, the 2021 Syrah Block 16 offers a bigger, more burly profile as well as ripe blue fruits, tons of chalky mineral nuances, some violet hints, firm tannins, and a great finish. It’s mostly potential at this stage, and the cellar will be your friend.

- Jeb Dunnuck

94

Points

The aromas are effusive, with notes of blueberry, boysenberry, cream, tangerine rind, plum, fresh herb, dried orange peel, and flower, showing delineation and detail. Silky soft blue fruit flavors follow, revealing purity and definition. It sticks around for a long time on the finish. Give it time to stretch its legs. Enjoy after 2027.

- Sean Sullivan, Northwest Wine Report