2019 Cayuse Syrah Wallah Wallah Special #13
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The 2019 Syrah #13 Wallah Wallah Special, bottled only in magnum, is a blend of Cayuse Syrah vineyards. It bursts from the glass with a bouquet of crushed rocks and dried herbs giving way to mineral-drenched cherries. This is silky yet racy in style, with vivid red-toned fruits complicated by peppery spice and hints of sour citrus that create a wine of contrasts. It finishes dramatically long yet full of energy, as residual acids keep the mouth watering, while hints of white pepper slowly fade. As lovable as this is already, the #13 Wallah Wallah Special has the balance to mature beautifully over the next decade or more.
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James Suckling
Jeb Dunnuck
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Only bottled in magnum, the 2019 Wallah Wallah Syrah Special is in its 13th vintage and boasts classic Syrah tones with savory and spicy red fruit essences. Medium to full-bodied, the wine is playful with elegant flavors of peppercorn, red and purple flowers and hints of herbs to Provence before juicy and ripe raspberry and black plum notes appear in the mouth. Displaying a balanced structure with succulent acidity and fine-grained tannins, the Syrah delivers a fantastic food-friendly drinking experience that will go the distance.
Released only in magnum and a blend of the single vineyards (Christophe continues to keep the vineyards that compose the blend a secret), the 2019 Syrah Wallah Wallah Special #13 offers a textbook Rocks bouquet of meaty red and blue fruits, iron, baking spices, dried herbs, and pepper. This carries to a medium to full-bodied, round, plush, seamless beauty that has remarkable balance, ripe, polished tannins, no hard edges, and a great finish. It drinks brilliantly already with a decant, yet I have no doubt it will still being singing at age 20.
A lovely nose of ground and whole spice, ripe strawberry, red cherry and tarragon. Medium-to full-bodied with slightly firm tannins and driving acidity. So much lovely peppery character here. A bit of mineral nuance, too, adding some earthiness and articulation to the ripe-fruit profile. Hints of spice. Totally delicious. Only in magnum. From biodynamically grown grapes. Best after 2024.