2010 Orion Syrah
Estimated value
Buying options
Tasting notes
(15.2% alcohol): Saturated ruby. Knockout nose offers sappy blackberry, tar, licorice and a suggestion of 4th of July sparklers. Hugely sweet and thick but with great youthful cut and energy to its extract-rich flavors of dark berries, black cherry, pine resin and licorice; as primary as a barrel sample yet exhilarating to taste today. Like a live wire in the mouth, this great vintage of Orion finishes with full, seamless tannins and outstanding sappy length. For all its power, it's also extremely suave. I'd love to try another bottle in 20 years.
Critic scores
Average Score
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
(15.2% alcohol): Saturated deep ruby color to the rim. Deep, superripe aromas of blackberry, tar, licorice pastille, spices and espresso. Superconcentrated and sweet, conveying an impression of solidity and powerful extract to the creamy yet bracing dark berry, black cherry, eucalyptus and spice flavors. There's a roasted quality that calls to mind an Henri Bonneau Chateauneuf. Incredible extraction of color suggests tiny berries and long maceration. Finishes with outstanding mounting length, great sweetness and firm but fully ripe tannins. This amazingly dense, thick wine makes the 2012 seems floral, spicy and pinot-like by comparison. A great vintage for this wine, with the tannic support and sheer extract to ensure a long and slow evolution in bottle. I raised my score a point after retasting this wine 24 hours later.