2017 DeLille Cellars Syrah Grand Ciel

Very attractive aromas of black cherries, currants and dark chocolate follow through to a medium to full body with round tannins that are soft and luscious. Some meat and spice undertones. Needs time to come together, but already open and very attractive. Try after 2023.

All Syrah from Red Mountain, brought up in 15% new French oak, the 2017 Syrah Grand Ciel Vineyard sports an inky purple hue to go with ripe, powerful notes of black and blue fruits, ground pepper, violets, and smoked game. Gorgeous on the palate, with a Hermitage-like class in its tannins, it's flawlessly balanced, has a pure, precise texture, and a great finish. It's a head-turning good Syrah to enjoy over the coming 10-15 years. Delille can always be counted on to deliver classic, impeccably made wines, and they have done exceptionally well in 2018. They also pull from multiple regions, so it’s such a great education tasting through these wines when trying to understand a vintage. Their Red Mountain releases seem to be the stars of the show in 2018, but there are no dogs in this lineup. The icing on the cake is that they’re generally made in decent quantities, especially their D2 release, which is a year-in, year-out terrific Bordeaux blend.

Saturated bright ruby. Medicinal, youthfully reticent scents of blackberry and violet, plus hints of black olive and smoked meat. Impressively dense, concentrated and suave, with broad, mouthfilling black fruit and floral flavors complicated by a note of cured meats. Shows more medicinal reserve and tannic grip than the Signature Syrah. Tighter and less pliant today than the Signature but with the intensity, verve and grip to evolve even more slowly. Neither of these Syrahs are overly sweet. (aged for 20 months in 30% new French oak)