Cayuse En Chamberlin Syrah 2018

Professional Ratings

• 99 Jeb Dunnuck

  Lots of Graves-like smoked earth, tobacco, and cold fireplace notes emerge from the 2018 Syrah En Chamberlin Vineyard. It shows more classic gamey Syrah notes with air, offering ample amounts of bloody blue fruits, iron, and peppered meat nuances. Rich, medium to full-bodied, and nicely concentrated on the palate, with gorgeous tannins, it has the purity and elegance that's the hallmark of the vintage, no hard edges, and a great finish. It's just another spectacular, singular Syrah from this estate that will benefit from short-term cellaring and keep for 20+ years.

• 96 James Suckling

  An intense, richly flavorful red with aromas of dried violets, raspberries, currants, porcini, barbecued meat, cloves and cumin. It’s full-bodied and chewy with tight, sleek tannins framing a concentrated, spiced and earthy core. Chocolate. Keeps going. Try from 2022.

• 95 Wine Spectator

  A distinctive style, showing richness and detail, with expressive raspberry and blueberry flavors gathering accents of crushed rock and smoky white pepper on the way to polished tannins. Drink now through 2030.

• 95 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

  Boasting a firm, dense and serious nose, the 2018 Syrah en Chamberlin Vineyard expresses notions of peppered beef jerky, cured venison, roasted plum and wilted lavender in the glass. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is sturdy and broad with elements of crème de cassis, bone broth, impressive mineral tension and healthy tannins that grip the gumline. It conclude with a long, lingering and subtly smoked finish. The wine aged for 19 months in mostly neutral French oak. Let this one rest for another year in the cellar before opening, and drink through the next decade and a half. Decanting is recommended. Rating: 95+