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2022

Block 16 Syrah

Block Highlight Series

Winemaking

Aged 18 months in 50% new 500L puncheons.

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

Tightly wound bouquet of blackberry, black raspberry, and plum, along with smoked wild game, crushed cacao nibs, dried blackberry leaf, and desert mountain yarrow. The palate is deep and dark to the core, roiling with black and blue berry concentrate, thick cut boar bacon, musky desert herbs, licorice root, iron filings, and a touch of caliche dust. Approach carefully (or just decant) for the first few years, at which point this wine should last for two decades.


High summer pilgrimage, shamanic rites, cornered wild animal, Charles Mingus – Mingus Ah Um

AVA

Columbia Valley

Drink

2028 - 2040

$70 / 750ml bottle

Available Spring 2025.

Scores & Reviews

95

Points

Dazzling in savoury depths and undeniable ripeness. This Syrah, Block 16 is the highest block in the WeatherEye vineyard, on the north side of the vineyard, facing away from the Red Mountain AVA. Layered notes of exotic chocolate and smoke envelope hints of roast cinnamon stick and Moroccan spice, brightened by a surprising note of freshly cut pine. It offers intense mouthfuls of sweet black fruits and Ethiopian berbere spice. This wine's opulence comes to the fore in a finish marked by spiced black plum. The intensity and extravagant depth are on full display.

- Clive Pursehouse, Decanter

95

Points

This is unsurprisingly tightly wound and tannic, with a compact mix of dense berry fruits and accents of smoke, char and espresso. It’s been given 18 months in 50% new 500 L puncheons. With a full day to breathe it expands, with a full palate of raspberry fruit, almost like jam, but supported with bright acids.

- Paul Gregutt

94-96

Points

Coming from the highest parcel (the north side of Red Mountain), the 2022 Syrah Block 16 has a downright exotic edge in its red and blue fruits as well as notes of game, leather, and violets. This carries to a medium to full-bodied red that has sweet tannins, a layered, nicely concentrated mouthfeel, and outstanding length. I absolutely love its purity as well as its balance.

- Jeb Dunnuck

93

Points

Aged 18 months in French oak (50% new), this wine is still slumbering. The aromas bring notes of dark roasted espresso bean, black raspberry, dark cherry, chocolate, flower, dried herb, and smoked meat. Ripe, rich, full-bodied flavors follow, mixing fruit and barrel. A warm finish caps it off. It needs time. Best after 2028. Cellar Stocker.

- Sean P. Sullivan, Northwest Wine Report