2015 Armada Vineyard Syrah

Significantly more lifted and graceful than expected, the 2015 Syrah Armada Vineyard opens with an earthy blend of crushed rocks, black olive tapenade, wilted violets, dried strawberries and licorice. Its textures are elegant and refined, silken and round, with dark red and black fruits that take an a saline mineral intensity toward the finish. Just gently tannic and classically dry the 2015 leaves hints of tart blackberry and a peppery tinge that lingers on. It's important to note that Cayuse lost the majority of its production to faulty corks in 2015, so for collectors looking to enjoy a Syrah from Christophe Baron in this vintage, the Armada is your only choice. Luckily, it's also an incredibly beautiful wine with an open and broad drinking window.

This is the only one of Cayuse's single-vineyard Syrahs to be produced this vintage due to a bottle closure issue. The aromas are locked up on first pour, with notes of fire pit, green olive, smoked ham, blackberry underbrush, mineral and smoked meat. The palate is flavorful, full of smoke and meat notes that linger on the extended finish. — Sean P. Sullivan

(15% new oak): Good medium red. Explosive aromas of raspberry, smoke, soy sauce, violet, black olive tapenade and minerals. A distinctly savory, dark style of Syrah with a strong licorice note on entry and firm, well-integrated acidity keeping the middle palate under wraps in the early going. Dark berry and black olive flavors are complicated by a note of brown sugar, with a minty nuance and even a slight tartness conveying an impression of quick and perhaps uneven fruit ripeness. Quite firmly structured for this bottling, finishing with serious tongue-dusting tannins, and less impressive on the back end than on the nose. These tightly spaced vines typically produce tighter wines that need longer élevage , noted Bourcier. This wine clearly will require time in bottle to express itself. (13.7% alcohol)