2014 Reynvaan Family Syrah Stonessence
Estimated value
Buying options
Tasting notes
(13.5% alcohol; 30% new oak, including some puncheons; vinified with a substantial proportion of whole berries but few whole clusters): Dark red with ruby tones. Aromas of blackberry and beef tartare with a touch of pepper; this smells like a meal. Fine-grained, savory and quite dry, but very closed today. The wine's meaty quality is joined by a slight greenness that gives the firmly tannic finish a tart edge. Serious tannins call for at least a couple years of cellaring. This aromatically intriguing wine will merit a higher rating if it gains in pliancy with bottling aging.
Critic scores
Average Score
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Jeb Dunnuck, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
The 2014 Syrah Stonessence checks in as 100% Syrah that's all from the In The Rocks Vineyard in the rocks region of Walla Walla. Notes of blackberries, blueberries, crushed violets and peppery herbs all emerge from this tight, backward, concentrated Syrah that has thrilling purity. With air, it shows a touch more meat and game, but it desperately needs 2-3 years of cellaring and will keep for a decade or more after that. It’s a killer bottle of wine!