The last of our 2010s and probably we could/should have waited more on this one. We had a bunch of Washington state from this era and my takeaway is they had a lot more time available. These are closer to 20-25 year wines than 10-15 but what can you do. Still enjoyable and gamey and darker and more intense. Drinks well though.
Cork in good condition. No sediment. Slight bricking. Decanted 45 minutes. Slightly flat on night one — where’s the fruit? Mostly earthy notes. Second night was much more complete, the fruit had materialized and finish was rounder and more filled in. Maybe just needed a longer decant. Score reflects night 2.
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My final bottle from the first year I collected this wine. I agree that it is time to drink your remaining bottles if you like a fruit component along with a bit of mushroom that is developing.
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This was solid, but a bit less than I was hoping for, given the "Baby Cayuse" hype. I didn't get as much funk as some have noted, which is fine, but it didn't have the complexity to garner more interest.
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Jeb D said til 2022. This was my last bottle, well kept and it is well down the tertiary path. If you want fruit, drink now or forever hold your peace.
PnP, consumed over two nights. Drinking well on opening, gave a typically correct Rocks showing of roasted meat and brine with a bit of funk and dark fruit. Held up well overnight, so my impression that it will continue to cellar just fine for a few more years, but I don't think that it will necessarily continue to improve at this point.
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Popped and poured. Nice Rocks funk, savory black fruit, grilled meat, smoke and cracked peppercorn. Last bottle, really wish I had more. Drink now - 2025.
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Wow, this has really evolved since my last bottle. Tannins are incredibly soft, and this has almost a buttery richness to it on the palate. Savory notes more than fruit, this is really in a lovely spot right now.
Given the enthusiasm from others, I was a bit disappointed how this wine showed. Distinct vegetal/green quality to the nose that carried into the mouth experience. Good purity and richness but it did not impress as hoped.
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2nd of three bottles purchased from 2010. It has been a while since popping the first cork. This wine is amazing still. Even better than it was a couple years ago and plenty of life left in it. Baby Cayuse is still a very accurate descriptor here. Did not want that last glass to ever end.
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Consistent with previous notes, fully mature, probably at or near peak. Good round entry with nice meaty savory notes and dark and red fruit. Very well balanced. Finish is sturdy and refined. Drink now through 2019. Technical score: 91. Enjoyment score: 92.
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Pnp at a restaurant. A bit muted on the immediate pour. However as this sat in the glass the smooth funky nose came out. The wine was mouthcoating with brambly dark fruit and chocolate and what was a medium to long finish.
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Super funky and delicious! Nose of funk and blackberry, with cracked peppercorn. Really lush and creamy in the mouth, with a long finish of pepper-infused dark chocolate. Great stuff, and reminds me why I joined their wine club. Drink now 2020.
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Consistent with my previous notes from last August, only it actually gained some weight (not lost any) and was ready to go off the pop-and-pour. We paired with a mild hamburger pasta casserole and it was lovely. I'd drink this through 2019 to hit peak window.
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Took me three bottles to grasp that I just don't like the flavor profile. I see a lot of tns that I wish I agreed with, but my bottles were cloying and not fun to drink. Oh well, my mileage varied.
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Okay, It has been a few years and the rocks stench was almost blocking the palate up front. Dirty socks and sweat arm pits. Lucky it cleared after an hour. Went nicely with 1' thick filets and grilled zucchini. We also had a mess of Greek olives. This brought out the subtle salinity. Lastly the boysenberry juice and the silky texture was nice. A bit of meat juice on the rocks was fine but this needs a bit of acidity to make it a truly excellent wine.
As for my preferences I really would prefer a Delas St. Joseph, but this was okay. Im having a nice mixed salad with crumbled bleu these with a balsamic vinaigrette, but I may have to drink a crisp white wine with that, to make up from a bit of disappointment.
Not really digging this version of the rocks. Usually a great steak will make a Syrah shine so much.
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Last bottle unfortunately, but this is humming along nicely and drinking very well right now. If I had more, I would drink it in the next year or so. Tasty dark Rocks fruit profile, and great QPR (this was under $40 at release). Nice job Proper!
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Perfect amount of oak, notes of raspberry, plum, and back cherry and then that amazing "rocks funk" hits you on the finish with olive tapenade. This was and still is an amazing wine for the price. Hitting on all cylinders.
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I think the 2010 Proper may be one of my favorites that they've done. This wine is pure in the Rocks and for the price it was selling at back then just outstanding. Very meaty, savory, dark unripe fruit. Delicious and well appreciated by all. Drank after a Cayuse God Only Knows and maybe it was the lack of an extended decant for the Cayuse, but I'm not sure I didn't enjoy this more on the night.
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Opened and decanted about 30-min ahead of burgers, salad, and Corn on the Cob. Took about that amount of time to open up. Once it did, absolutely gorgeous - a nice blending of old-world and new-world. Dark, murky, purple color. Nose brings nice WA garrigue (from "The Rocks," they say) of musty old horse saddle, hints of dried cow manure, dried out dead grass, and bright cherry menthol. The palate is full and round with phenomenal weight and texture - feeling almost extracted, new world style...but then it brings dark raspberries, cured beef, Manhattan cherries, leather, herbs, and even a hint of V8 juice (with perhaps an olive) into the tail. The finish is well-integrated and slightly thin on entry, but overall very composed and put-together. Perhaps the most balanced WA Syrah I've had yet. Drink now before 2020. Should continue to evolve but might lose a little weight.
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Thick, meaty and savory syrah with dark fruit notes and a bit of perfume. Really well made and I wouldn't be surprised if this has even more to come with time.
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This was a great showing. Slightly subdued aromas, but full of flavor with a nice, savory soy sauce note going through the ample black plus and slightly spicy notes. Very soft, easy to drink. Excellent varietal typicity and very high QPR.
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Evolving nicely, on initial open, more acidic and fruit-driven, with iodine and roasted meat elements coming more to the fore overnight and hitting more in my wheelhouse. Still shows signs of plenty of life left.
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Vanilla initially paired with juicy berry fruit that I enjoy. Feel that this is in a good drinking window right now, especially considering that the tannins are well integrated.
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Inky dark purple with ripe cherry nose. Fruity with a dose of funk, needs at least an hour to settle, bold fruit and body which for me does not get the accolades most bestow on this wine. Sorry, but I just get a lightly jammy, funky fruity wine. Not saying others may like this style, but I have moved away toward the AFWE style. It need substantially more acid and tannins for my palate. On night two, substantial improvement with the acid more prominent to better balance the fruit, tannins are on the light side.
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Consistent with more detailed notes and score from 12/2/13. This was showing great, but could really use another year or two in bottle. It was tasted alongside a 2007 Betz Serenne, 2011 Gramercy Lagniappe, 2012 Ken Wright Shea and 2012 St Innocent Zenith.
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Unlike a previous bottle, this one did have an immediate modestly funky nose, although it was unexpectedly well more pronounced in a Zalto Universal than a Schott Zwiesel Burg glass. Also fresh and dried charcuterie, dark berries, roasted plum, oak char, white pepper. An evolving and nicely complex nose. Medium bodied, tasty, with a rich concentration of fruit, though not really very complex on the palate. An impression at least of sweetness. Though not really tart, it seems more supported by acidity than by tannins. I wouldn't think this is really a candidate for long aging, but as it sheds a bit more baby fat perhaps the fruit - which is it's predominant feature - will evolve into some interesting palate complexity. 90-91+?
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Mostly creamy oak and vanillin to start, but after 15 minutes and some robust swirling, some pretty florality emerges, followed by stones, a splash of iodine, cured meat and some peppercorns; nice mix of black and red fruits. Served at 58F, the palate comes across as well-lifted, and the lighter side of full-bodied. With time, some of the layers of fruit begin to emerge, giving this some needed dimensions; good precursors for continued cellaring. Two hour mark - soil and charcoal on the nose; tannins slightly more pronounced. At the high end of good right now, this will likely hit very good in 3-4 more years as further secondary and even some tertiary development unfolds. Twice as much funk and half as much wood, and I'd have been well pleased. 13,7% abv., best thru 2020.
PnP straight to decanter, enjoyed with braised short ribs over the following 2 hours.
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Funky nose with a mix a red and black fruit and a little spicyness. On the palate hints of sweetness (Viognier?) with a black/red fruit, licorice and other components not well defined. A little acid with smooth tannins ending in a soft finish. Had all the Reynvaan/Cayuse components, but came across like a thin veneer, no substance behind it. I like it ok, but it feels lacking it what its trying to be.
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Funky Syrah from the Rocks of Milton Freewater AVA in WA. Raspberry, plum and black cherry notes abound with black olives coming out to play on the long expressive finish. Really nice bottle of wine but it may take some getting used to if you have not experienced a Syrah from this region.
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Not as good as the last few but still very enjoyable. Decanted a few hours but still some harsh bite at the end. Done with the 2010's but have a bunch of 2011's and going to see where they go - give them time.
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Terrific! Everything I love about N. Rhone and great domestic syrah - with none of the downsides of either. Smooth, complex, perfect weight… only one bottle left. Wish I had more.
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Soft funk on the nose wrapped with some nice berry and dark rich fruit. The palate is nice and smooth, coats most of the mouth with alot of mineral, fruit and tar. Maybe a little acidic on the finish but good. Interested to see how it ages.
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Interesting and enjoyable wine. Interesting aromatically, with characteristic funk throughout and more fruit as it gains air. A little disjointed on the palate. Thishas good body and impact despite its reasonable alcohol level, but I wished for a little more on the finish. Still young.
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Starts off very tight, but after about an hour it's opening up some. Definitely get the funk that folks talk about, a bit of a meaty taste, some pinetar, maybe holly (?), olives, mulberry, leather. It's an interesting collection of tastes and the kindof description I imagine a non-wino would turn their nose up on, but I like it. Good deal for the price.
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Sexy spiced blood and game with a punch of fruit, polarizing soft funk, herbs and savory brick. Intricate, for this Syrah appeared different with every sip over several hours. The substantial and sophisticated finish lingered on for what felt like like an eternity. An exceptionally well made and intriguing wine. I look forward to trying another in a couple years.
Medium bodied and funky fresh! This was some super tasty juice. Very bright and delicious on the palate with lively red berry notes giving way to undertones of smoked olive tapenade, gamey meat and a stoney, mineral driven finish. There wasn't even the slightest notion of heat. This wine has character for days. It should continue to improve in the bottle for the next few years, but there should be no guilt opening one now with a decant. 93+
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This lived up to expectations, this was also my first syrah from the rocks so it was also a learning experience. Fortunately for the 2 bottles left in the cellar, I like it a lot. Pnp, but it definitely needs air. Lots of funk on day 1, with dark berries, some smokiness, and some savory notes. On the palate, it had great body, medium tannins, and a nice level of acidity. This bottle didn't come across as hot like other folks, but I also swirled vigorously.
The second day, the bottle was slow ox'd. This syrah was smooth, sleak, funk was more mellow, fruit was vibrant. Thought the second day was much better. I recommend a long decant for this wine right now or hold in the cellar for another year.
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Opens with classic Washington funk and meat aromas. Has lots of dark fruit, some olive, meat and berry. Rich and sweet and a nice bottle to open while the Cayuse sleeps...
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Nice deep purple Syrah. A touch of heat at first, but with time in the glass tis was less noticeable. Their was a meaty juice smell of some beef cooking on hot stones, and a bit of funk, which I can see as being slightly similar to what you expect from Reynvaan and cayuse, but not in such dramatic fashion. Some dark florals intertwined in this funk. On the palate loads of dark fruit, peppercorn and some earthy tones. Decent finish, but nothing lasting long enough for me to pine over. A great companion to burgers topped with blue cheese. Not as thick as some WA syrah, which is not a bad thing, just unexpected.
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A moderately dark ruby purple in the glass, this wine is not completely opaque, showing some translucency.
Initial aromas of smoke, grilled meat fat, and charred blue and black berries fairly jump out of the glass. Smells delicious upon opening.
On the lean side of full bodied, the wine is soft and silky, with enough acid to ride on top of the soft tannins.
The palate reinforces the nose with plenty of smoky notes, charred berries, olives, and a long soft finish that shows some light mineral and coffee notes. Over time, the blue fruits come forward a bit, the palate seems to simplify, losing some smoke and mineral while gaining a spicy note.
Well integrated and harmonious flavors, the presentation is fairly smooth and refined, with enough interest to keep me coming back for more.
Solid wine, good primary and secondary flavors that are tasting very well right now.
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Slight disappointment after all the its-like-a-Cayuse hype. I found this to be more like Reynvaan's little brother, but barely even that. I didn't notice that in-the-rocks smack in the face, as one does from the two aforementioned bruiser labels. Yet this was still a very good wine, albeit with a mild green streak that should mellow with age.
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Has settled in, resting in the cellar. Smoooth, full bodied, but not "knock you over the head" Just right. A touch of green on the finish, but better than 1st bottle.
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Decanted a few hours and drank over two nights. Better on night 2 for sure. Smooth and easy v. night 1. I am a fan of The Rocks, and this fits right in there. More balanced between fruit and frunk / olive, etc that comes from Cayuse / Reynvaan camp - more like No Girls to me. Just my two cents on limited tasts of some of those but kind of where I am leaning. Signed up for their wine club. Definitely best value of these wineries, slightly less complex (?)
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Decanted for an hour and drank with appetizers. In a lineup with QC Palengat, Continuum Novicium, Chappellet Cab Franc and a grenache from Maison Bleue. This was the WOTN for multiple people and I scored it even with the Maison Bleue at the top of the list.
Light-medium body, complex with dark fruits, spice and funk you typically find in the WW Rocks area this wine is notable for its plush tannins and acidic backbone. This was my last of 3 bottles. I feel like I need to find some more of this. I planned to hold it longer and see how it develops but I knew friends would like it so I couldn't resist sharing.
This syrah started out with a strong nose and palate of black currant that added blackberry with air. Day 2 added a cherry liqueur note with a hint of meat and olive. Seemed to be all about the fruit at this stage; hoping more complexity will develop with age.
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Beautiful nose, smooth, medium/full body. Can feel the alcohol a bit. A little hot. Some green notes on the finish, not to my liking. Long finish. Overall, well done.
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Consistent with my prior tasting. Aromas of blueberry, smoked meat, funk, green olives and a bit of sage. Flavors of cherry, blueberry, meat, olive, herbs and pepper. Long finish, balance and nice complexity for the price. The tannins are well integrated and the wine has a silky and luxurious texture. I need to learn some patience and save the last six bottles, but this is drinking very well.
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Give it time to open and you will be rewarded with classic Washington funk, dark fruit and a nice balance of blueberry, minerality, olive, spice and meat overtones. Very nice finish and well made. Not quite the complexity of Reynvaan or Cayuse but a great value for the stuffing
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With all the hype this wine has received, I was excited to try this new WA winery. While I have read many references to this wine as "baby Cayuse" or "baby Reynvaan", this bottle did not resemble those wines in the least bit. Rather this bottle reminded me of a generic WA syrah in the $20 range.
PnP on night 1 - nothing on the nose. Full bodied, but with nothing of interest other than a short, spicy finish. Unfortunately, the phrase "blueberry syrup" came to mind.
Night 2 - Pulled from wine fridge and left remainder of bottle open on counter for 1.5 hrs. Still nothing on the nose, but a slightly longer finish. Again, nothing interesting.
Was really disappointed, but the other TNs give me hope that my remaining bottle may be much better. Will wait another 1-2 years before popping that one open.
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This syrah is pure Walla Walla. Funky, gamey, but with a nice portion of dark fruit and not overly tannic; it's a pure joy. Kind of Cayuse meets Mollydooker, this is overall a great example of what a 'rocks' syrah can be. An outstanding deal in the low $30's too!
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I am even more impressed with the second bottle of this wine then I was with the first. Aromas of blueberry, smoked meat, funk, green olives and a bit of sage. Flavors of cherry, blueberry, meat, olive, herbs and pepper. Most noteworthy is the wine's balance. long finish and nice complexity for the price. The tannins are well integrated and the wine has a silky and luxurious texture. So good that we consumed it much too quickly.
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Very impressed with this Syrah! The nose was great right out of the gates! Decanted for about forty-five minutes. As we enjoyed it, the nose transitioned from having undertones of blue fruit to a touch of lavender to a hint of pine as we finished off the bottle. Very unique for this price point! Nice, smooth mouth feel and balanced across the palate. Just signed up in their club for a case!
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So nice and fresh, ultra clean with exquisite green notes jumping out more than the red fruit for me. Just tried a bit of this on a PnP but got a good enough impression to see the quality here.
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PnP served at an offline. Virtually the same take-away as Robert's note of 24 February. Lots to enjoy now, even more in the future. Above-average purity and focus, clean, satisfying finish. A good ambassador for W2, I should think.
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This wine lives up to the expectations that had been built up after reading other tasters' notes. Upon first sniff, I knew this was something special. Funk, earth and brooding dark fruit explode from the glass. On the palate, it is expansive and savory with earth, spice and blackberry flavors. The finish is long and satisfying. (Decanted for 1 hour before tasting.)
One taster pointed out that the amount of oak influence exhibited by this wine was overwhelming. I disagree. The little amount of oak I get is definitely in the backgound and not the forefront (smokiness). This is surely not an "oak bomb."
Day 2- Much of the complexity that I enjoyed on day one has disappeared. However, this wine is still very delicious. If day one is like looking at a beautiful, detailed painting, day two is like squinting your eyes while looking at the same painting.
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I usually take breathless enthusiasm on wine-distribution lists with a huge grain of salt (they can't all be the find of the year from the pristine virgin shores of rural Italy, Jon Rimmerman), but this was the first bottle that Paul Zitarelli has ever been visibly excited about, and goddamn was he ever right. This one is stunning--full of rocks and dirt and the kind of low notes that make syrah sing. Bottle took a few minutes to open, and benefited from a trip through the Venturi, and then look out.
I'm not totally sure how well this is going to age, and it's still a little young right now, so I'm hesitant to specify a window. Through an act of willpower, I left a bit in the bottom of the bottle to see what would happen with some air. This was a mistake. Day 2 was a serious disappointment--most of the really exciting minerality had leeched out, turning this into a well-below-average WA syrah. I'd say "drink it all on day 1," but it's not like you're going to need a lot of encouragement when you see how far above its weight class this wine is punching.
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This was definitely drunk many years too soon. After several hours it just barely started to loosen up. Mostly tight fruit and some funky smokey notes. I need to buy more of this and just let it mature.
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Disclaimer: this bottle was the first W2 'funk' wine I've had...
As much as I had a hard time wrapping my head around the descriptions of this style of syrah, it was everything I have heard. One the nose, olives, bacon fat, mineral, and blood. On the palate, these flavors persisted and expanded to include umami and 'the funk'. Nary a rough edge in this wine as the tannin was barely noticeable and enough acidity to make it drink very wet. One of the most distinctive wines I have ever had. Will be curious to see how this stacks up against my first Cayuse next month.
Had with Kobe tri tip, roasted roots, and Chinese style broccoli. The wine went great with the broccoli, accentuate the parsnips, and made the tri-tip at times almost velvety with a hint of dried fruit.
The FIL, who usually only had one glass when I open a bottle, went out of his way to say he liked it and had two glasses.
This is sleek, sexy and luxurious. It feels like silk on the tongue. The nose was a little reserved at first but opened after a decant. There is a slight funk mixed with cherry, darker fruits and dried herbs. On the palate I get cherry followed by blueberry and herbs with that classic Walla Walla Rocks funk but more subdued than Cayuse. The finish is long and smooth.
fwiw-I don't the oak isn't overly noticeable. I think the previous poster was mistaking barnyard funk for oak or we had completely different bottles of this wine.
Damn (Paul)! This stuff was good. Smoky meat, blood and rich dark fruit. No oak. Silky smooth tannins with enough acid to keep it right. Would love to find more. If scoring 92-94.
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Not sure I'd call it a “Baby Cayuse” but this bottle showed a bit more of the rocks signature funk. Still nothing like the bigger/crazier cayuse or early reynvaan, and honestly, I think that's a good thing. This wine is more pure, lovely and approachable, but still has that terrior.
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I get burned so often when taking a chance on a domestic wine that I don't know why I still bother. Between the 4 tasting notes here and the few reviews I found, everyone failed to mention the OAK on the nose and palate of this wine. If Kentucky bourbon is your beverage of choice, then you might be immune enough to heavy oak to be able to pick up on the fruit and minerailty in this wine...my old world palate was too overloaded by oak to detect anything other than a faint hint of "earthy funk" that some of the reviews mentioned. Maybe the bottle I tried is corked and thus the fruit isn't coming through otherwise this is just another new world oak bomb that I wouldn't even purchase and drink for $1. I'm saving 1/2 the bottle and will leave another comment if anything changes tomorrow.
Day 2: didn't drink any more but kept the bottle corked, and in the refrigerator.
Day 3: The oak is still prominent on the nose but it has competition on day two in the form of spices, possibly plums and some green vegetables and/or maple syrup. Definitely much more interesting today, so I would hold this wine a bit or allow a at least a couple of hours of decant prior to consumption. I feel as though the same flavors competing on the nose are also competing on the palate. Nice acidity and minerality on the finish today. For my old world palate, this wine still isn't worth $30+ compared to some of the Italian wines I could get in that range, but its showing far better today than yesterday. As far as US wines go, its not a bad value for a contemplative, unique syrah. If I was limited to just U.S. wines or if I could find this for under $25, I would definitely consider purchasing this again....still too muck oak though.
Day 5: Surprising still enjoyable. I've was planning on drinking the rest last night so I took it out of the fridge to let it warm up. Then I forgot about it and went to bed. I put it back in the fridge this morning and decided to taste it before dumping the last glass. It still tastes about as good as on day 3. The fact that this domestic wine survived for so many days impressed me so I thought I should let you all know.
Lovely little fruit forward, but focused syrah. Hints of rhone. Powerful midpalate and long finish. Not as much funk as some from the rocks, but it's their in the backgound.
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I had been looking forward to trying this based on the write-up it received from Damn Paul, and it didn't disappoint. Young wine from young vines, it lead off with black fruits and a bit of spiciness balanced with a nice acidity and fairly soft tannins. After 45 minutes or so, it began to display really nice roasted meat flavors on the palate and nose which came to dominate the fruit over the next hour or so. I think this is a wine to hold onto for 2-5 years to see what happens, although I don't know that this vintage has the legs to hold on for more than that.
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Aromas of blueberry, smoked meat, cocoa and spice. Well balanced, soft and ripe. Flavors of blueberry, a hint of anise and pepper in the finish. Very nice wine.
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A very nice newcomer to the Walla Walla Syrah club! I had heard this was good via a couple of pundits, and by gosh, it is! At first sniff, it's a nose of bright plum and purple fruits. On the palate, a bright (good acidity, like most of the 2010s) and medium-bodied Syrah with fresh purple and blue fruits, especially plums. Very fruit forward, but not a "block-buster" in style (13.7% abv, low for a WA or WW Syrah). Very fresh and almost "grapey" (probably due to the new vines that were used in this wine, based on what I read), with some minerality and a bit of spice on the finish. A very nice and balanced effort from a "new kid on the block" winery that shows great promise. I could happily sip this anytime, and wish I had more than the few bottles I purchased.
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Ripe, dark and spicy. Plenty of life expectancy from its powerful fruit, tannin and acidity balance. Hard to believe how young the vines are making this quality of a wine. 3rd leaf, I think.
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12/30/2022 - MC2 Wines Likes this wine:
The last of our 2010s and probably we could/should have waited more on this one. We had a bunch of Washington state from this era and my takeaway is they had a lot more time available. These are closer to 20-25 year wines than 10-15 but what can you do. Still enjoyable and gamey and darker and more intense. Drinks well though.
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11/3/2022 - austinpass wrote: 89 Points
Bell pepper, old world style - still lots of life left
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3/22/2020 - Magnolian Likes this wine: 90 Points
Cork in good condition. No sediment. Slight bricking. Decanted 45 minutes. Slightly flat on night one — where’s the fruit? Mostly earthy notes. Second night was much more complete, the fruit had materialized and finish was rounder and more filled in. Maybe just needed a longer decant. Score reflects night 2.
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4/4/2019 - curtr Likes this wine: 91 Points
My final bottle from the first year I collected this wine. I agree that it is time to drink your remaining bottles if you like a fruit component along with a bit of mushroom that is developing.
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3/24/2019 - pdemaio wrote: 93 Points
PDQ93+
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2/21/2019 - marycamp Likes this wine: 91 Points
This has integrated nicely and turned into a delicious WA Syrah. Well made. I’ll hold my last one a bit longer, though no real need to.
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2/13/2019 - SeaWine wrote: 90 Points
This was solid, but a bit less than I was hoping for, given the "Baby Cayuse" hype. I didn't get as much funk as some have noted, which is fine, but it didn't have the complexity to garner more interest.
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12/27/2018 - ob2s wrote: 91 Points
Jeb D said til 2022. This was my last bottle, well kept and it is well down the tertiary path. If you want fruit, drink now or forever hold your peace.
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11/17/2018 - curtr Likes this wine: 91 Points
Fully resolved. A very good pairing with beef bourguignon.
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10/19/2018 - Fugu Me Likes this wine:
PnP, consumed over two nights. Drinking well on opening, gave a typically correct Rocks showing of roasted meat and brine with a bit of funk and dark fruit. Held up well overnight, so my impression that it will continue to cellar just fine for a few more years, but I don't think that it will necessarily continue to improve at this point.
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4/1/2018 - forcumba Likes this wine:
Drank over 2 nights. Opened with funk and very savory! Really enjoyed it, much better integrated on night 2. Definitely give this one a long decant!
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3/25/2018 - RPerro Likes this wine: 93 Points
Popped and poured. Nice Rocks funk, savory black fruit, grilled meat, smoke and cracked peppercorn. Last bottle, really wish I had more. Drink now - 2025.
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1/21/2018 - curtr Likes this wine: 91 Points
At a great place now. I will drink over the next two years.
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1/7/2018 - Fugu Me Likes this wine:
Wow, this has really evolved since my last bottle. Tannins are incredibly soft, and this has almost a buttery richness to it on the palate. Savory notes more than fruit, this is really in a lovely spot right now.
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11/24/2017 - 2caveman Likes this wine: 89 Points
Given the enthusiasm from others, I was a bit disappointed how this wine showed. Distinct vegetal/green quality to the nose that carried into the mouth experience. Good purity and richness but it did not impress as hoped.
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9/30/2017 - Leomania Likes this wine: 92 Points
Terrific. Nice aromatics, good concentration of black fruit with fine tannins and acidity. Updating my end date to 2019, no hurry on the last bottle.
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9/23/2017 - ibglowin Likes this wine: 92 Points
2nd of three bottles purchased from 2010. It has been a while since popping the first cork. This wine is amazing still. Even better than it was a couple years ago and plenty of life left in it. Baby Cayuse is still a very accurate descriptor here. Did not want that last glass to ever end.
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4/22/2017 - 2caveman Likes this wine: 90 Points
Forest floor and somewhat green on the nose. Full on palate and quite restrained in fruit and ripeness. Alcohol in check. PLenty of years ahead
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1/26/2017 - ddmhunter Likes this wine: 92 Points
It's the nose, earthy & brambly that follows to the palate with the same.
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1/12/2017 - jlhkiss Likes this wine: 92 Points
Consistent with previous notes, fully mature, probably at or near peak. Good round entry with nice meaty savory notes and dark and red fruit. Very well balanced. Finish is sturdy and refined. Drink now through 2019. Technical score: 91. Enjoyment score: 92.
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12/27/2016 - enjoyvino wrote: 92 Points
Pnp at a restaurant. A bit muted on the immediate pour. However as this sat in the glass the smooth funky nose came out. The wine was mouthcoating with brambly dark fruit and chocolate and what was a medium to long finish.
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11/21/2016 - pdemaio wrote: 94 Points
Easy to like, with it's rich and mouth coating consistency. A lovely wine with just the right amount of rocks fruit. PDQ93+
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8/20/2016 - RPerro Likes this wine: 94 Points
Super funky and delicious! Nose of funk and blackberry, with cracked peppercorn. Really lush and creamy in the mouth, with a long finish of pepper-infused dark chocolate. Great stuff, and reminds me why I joined their wine club. Drink now 2020.
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7/10/2016 - jlhkiss Likes this wine: 92 Points
Consistent with my previous notes from last August, only it actually gained some weight (not lost any) and was ready to go off the pop-and-pour. We paired with a mild hamburger pasta casserole and it was lovely. I'd drink this through 2019 to hit peak window.
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6/6/2016 - ledocq Does not like this wine:
Took me three bottles to grasp that I just don't like the flavor profile. I see a lot of tns that I wish I agreed with, but my bottles were cloying and not fun to drink. Oh well, my mileage varied.
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6/3/2016 - Champagneinhand wrote: 89 Points
Okay, It has been a few years and the rocks stench was almost blocking the palate up front. Dirty socks and sweat arm pits. Lucky it cleared after an hour. Went nicely with 1' thick filets and grilled zucchini. We also had a mess of Greek olives. This brought out the subtle salinity. Lastly the boysenberry juice and the silky texture was nice. A bit of meat juice on the rocks was fine but this needs a bit of acidity to make it a truly excellent wine.
As for my preferences I really would prefer a Delas St. Joseph, but this was okay. Im having a nice mixed salad with crumbled bleu these with a balsamic vinaigrette, but I may have to drink a crisp white wine with that, to make up from a bit of disappointment.
Not really digging this version of the rocks. Usually a great steak will make a Syrah shine so much.
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5/30/2016 - ewsds Likes this wine: 91 Points
Last bottle unfortunately, but this is humming along nicely and drinking very well right now. If I had more, I would drink it in the next year or so. Tasty dark Rocks fruit profile, and great QPR (this was under $40 at release). Nice job Proper!
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5/13/2016 - ibglowin Likes this wine: 92 Points
Perfect amount of oak, notes of raspberry, plum, and back cherry and then that amazing "rocks funk" hits you on the finish with olive tapenade. This was and still is an amazing wine for the price. Hitting on all cylinders.
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4/17/2016 - ChrisinCowiche wrote: 92 Points
In a really good spot. Nice balance lots of fruit a hint of funk good structure. This should continue improving for some time, imo.
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12/28/2015 - curtr Likes this wine: 90 Points
Fully ready to drink.
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12/11/2015 - MC2 Wines Likes this wine:
I think the 2010 Proper may be one of my favorites that they've done. This wine is pure in the Rocks and for the price it was selling at back then just outstanding. Very meaty, savory, dark unripe fruit. Delicious and well appreciated by all. Drank after a Cayuse God Only Knows and maybe it was the lack of an extended decant for the Cayuse, but I'm not sure I didn't enjoy this more on the night.
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8/5/2015 - jlhkiss Likes this wine: 92 Points
Opened and decanted about 30-min ahead of burgers, salad, and Corn on the Cob. Took about that amount of time to open up. Once it did, absolutely gorgeous - a nice blending of old-world and new-world. Dark, murky, purple color. Nose brings nice WA garrigue (from "The Rocks," they say) of musty old horse saddle, hints of dried cow manure, dried out dead grass, and bright cherry menthol. The palate is full and round with phenomenal weight and texture - feeling almost extracted, new world style...but then it brings dark raspberries, cured beef, Manhattan cherries, leather, herbs, and even a hint of V8 juice (with perhaps an olive) into the tail. The finish is well-integrated and slightly thin on entry, but overall very composed and put-together. Perhaps the most balanced WA Syrah I've had yet. Drink now before 2020. Should continue to evolve but might lose a little weight.
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7/22/2015 - gmbdds wrote: 91 Points
Thick, meaty and savory syrah with dark fruit notes and a bit of perfume. Really well made and I wouldn't be surprised if this has even more to come with time.
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7/9/2015 - BRR Likes this wine: 90 Points
This was a great showing. Slightly subdued aromas, but full of flavor with a nice, savory soy sauce note going through the ample black plus and slightly spicy notes. Very soft, easy to drink. Excellent varietal typicity and very high QPR.
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6/13/2015 - dontime wrote:
Really enjoyed this tonight. Bloody meat, black olives, dark fruit. Just what the doctor ordered when dining/drinking alone. If scoring 90-92.
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5/19/2015 - Fugu Me Likes this wine:
PnP, consumed over two nights.
Evolving nicely, on initial open, more acidic and fruit-driven, with iodine and roasted meat elements coming more to the fore overnight and hitting more in my wheelhouse. Still shows signs of plenty of life left.
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4/20/2015 - lirvingham wrote: 91 Points
I cant get enough of this wine. It is sad the price went up but such a solid wine. Still has years left but i cant help but drink it.
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4/10/2015 - khmark7 wrote: 90 Points
Vanilla initially paired with juicy berry fruit that I enjoy. Feel that this is in a good drinking window right now, especially considering that the tannins are well integrated.
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4/8/2015 - dsgris wrote: 91 Points
Inky dark purple with ripe cherry nose. Fruity with a dose of funk, needs at least an hour to settle, bold fruit and body which for me does not get the accolades most bestow on this wine. Sorry, but I just get a lightly jammy, funky fruity wine. Not saying others may like this style, but I have moved away toward the AFWE style. It need substantially more acid and tannins for my palate. On night two, substantial improvement with the acid more prominent to better balance the fruit, tannins are on the light side.
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4/1/2015 - junglejuice wrote:
Consistent with more detailed notes and score from 12/2/13. This was showing great, but could really use another year or two in bottle. It was tasted alongside a 2007 Betz Serenne, 2011 Gramercy Lagniappe, 2012 Ken Wright Shea and 2012 St Innocent Zenith.
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2/17/2015 - MindMuse wrote: 91 Points
Unlike a previous bottle, this one did have an immediate modestly funky nose, although it was unexpectedly well more pronounced in a Zalto Universal than a Schott Zwiesel Burg glass. Also fresh and dried charcuterie, dark berries, roasted plum, oak char, white pepper. An evolving and nicely complex nose. Medium bodied, tasty, with a rich concentration of fruit, though not really very complex on the palate. An impression at least of sweetness. Though not really tart, it seems more supported by acidity than by tannins. I wouldn't think this is really a candidate for long aging, but as it sheds a bit more baby fat perhaps the fruit - which is it's predominant feature - will evolve into some interesting palate complexity. 90-91+?
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12/26/2014 - Tim Heaton Likes this wine:
Mostly creamy oak and vanillin to start, but after 15 minutes and some robust swirling, some pretty florality emerges, followed by stones, a splash of iodine, cured meat and some peppercorns; nice mix of black and red fruits. Served at 58F, the palate comes across as well-lifted, and the lighter side of full-bodied. With time, some of the layers of fruit begin to emerge, giving this some needed dimensions; good precursors for continued cellaring. Two hour mark - soil and charcoal on the nose; tannins slightly more pronounced. At the high end of good right now, this will likely hit very good in 3-4 more years as further secondary and even some tertiary development unfolds. Twice as much funk and half as much wood, and I'd have been well pleased. 13,7% abv., best thru 2020.
PnP straight to decanter, enjoyed with braised short ribs over the following 2 hours.
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12/1/2014 - f22nickell Likes this wine: 90 Points
Funky nose with a mix a red and black fruit and a little spicyness. On the palate hints of sweetness (Viognier?) with a black/red fruit, licorice and other components not well defined. A little acid with smooth tannins ending in a soft finish. Had all the Reynvaan/Cayuse components, but came across like a thin veneer, no substance behind it. I like it ok, but it feels lacking it what its trying to be.
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10/13/2014 - ibglowin Likes this wine: 92 Points
Funky Syrah from the Rocks of Milton Freewater AVA in WA. Raspberry, plum and black cherry notes abound with black olives coming out to play on the long expressive finish. Really nice bottle of wine but it may take some getting used to if you have not experienced a Syrah from this region.
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9/29/2014 - boogeyone Likes this wine: 91 Points
dark, rich fruit, juicy, long legs, delicious, should cellar well for a couple more years.
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9/25/2014 - curtr Likes this wine: 90 Points
Still a wonderful wine. However, in an awkward phase. Try again in 2016.
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9/6/2014 - RLP805 wrote: 90 Points
Very nice, smooth fruit forward but not in your face. Nice long finish very little heat from the alcohol (14% ABV)
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5/9/2014 - Ksminsen wrote:
Opened up very nicely
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1/26/2014 - Carniolan wrote: 86 Points
a bit too sweet for my taste, decent nose and rather enjoyable by itself but somewhat bland with food
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1/25/2014 - lirvingham wrote: 91 Points
Great as always. Cheered me up after the Reynvaan was corked.
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1/24/2014 - Joegish Likes this wine: 92 Points
Same tasting notes as last bottle.....maybe even a little smoother. Highly recommend.
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1/24/2014 - cpsmith33 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Not as good as the last few but still very enjoyable.
Decanted a few hours but still some harsh bite at the end.
Done with the 2010's but have a bunch of 2011's and going to see where they go - give them time.
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1/20/2014 - Mark Brandon Likes this wine: 93 Points
Terrific! Everything I love about N. Rhone and great domestic syrah - with none of the downsides of either. Smooth, complex, perfect weight… only one bottle left. Wish I had more.
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1/5/2014 - enjoyvino wrote: 91 Points
Soft funk on the nose wrapped with some nice berry and dark rich fruit. The palate is nice and smooth, coats most of the mouth with alot of mineral, fruit and tar. Maybe a little acidic on the finish but good. Interested to see how it ages.
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12/23/2013 - topher2411 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Interesting and enjoyable wine. Interesting aromatically, with characteristic funk throughout and more fruit as it gains air. A little disjointed on the palate. Thishas good body and impact despite its reasonable alcohol level, but I wished for a little more on the finish. Still young.
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12/22/2013 - Geoff Likes this wine: 91 Points
Smoother than prior bottls. Very enjoyable. Better with some air.
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12/21/2013 - Acohen Likes this wine: 91 Points
Very nice dark color with blueberry, dark fruit and some funky overtones.
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12/17/2013 - MC2 Wines Likes this wine:
Starts off very tight, but after about an hour it's opening up some. Definitely get the funk that folks talk about, a bit of a meaty taste, some pinetar, maybe holly (?), olives, mulberry, leather. It's an interesting collection of tastes and the kindof description I imagine a non-wino would turn their nose up on, but I like it. Good deal for the price.
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12/14/2013 - The Wine Write Likes this wine: 92 Points
Dark fruit, meaty, savory nose. Palate has that dark fruit, along with bacon and black pepper notes. Finishes smoothly. Good body. Hard not to like.
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12/5/2013 - VinLancaster Likes this wine:
Sexy spiced blood and game with a punch of fruit, polarizing soft funk, herbs and savory brick. Intricate, for this Syrah appeared different with every sip over several hours. The substantial and sophisticated finish lingered on for what felt like like an eternity. An exceptionally well made and intriguing wine. I look forward to trying another in a couple years.
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12/2/2013 - junglejuice wrote: 93 Points
Medium bodied and funky fresh! This was some super tasty juice. Very bright and delicious on the palate with lively red berry notes giving way to undertones of smoked olive tapenade, gamey meat and a stoney, mineral driven finish. There wasn't even the slightest notion of heat. This wine has character for days. It should continue to improve in the bottle for the next few years, but there should be no guilt opening one now with a decant. 93+
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11/24/2013 - lirvingham wrote: 90 Points
Ditto to before!!
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11/15/2013 - dontime wrote:
Another great bottle. This stuff rocks at this price point.
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10/21/2013 - ccotton8 Likes this wine: 92 Points
This lived up to expectations, this was also my first syrah from the rocks so it was also a learning experience. Fortunately for the 2 bottles left in the cellar, I like it a lot. Pnp, but it definitely needs air. Lots of funk on day 1, with dark berries, some smokiness, and some savory notes. On the palate, it had great body, medium tannins, and a nice level of acidity. This bottle didn't come across as hot like other folks, but I also swirled vigorously.
The second day, the bottle was slow ox'd. This syrah was smooth, sleak, funk was more mellow, fruit was vibrant. Thought the second day was much better. I recommend a long decant for this wine right now or hold in the cellar for another year.
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10/20/2013 - Acohen Likes this wine: 91 Points
Opens with classic Washington funk and meat aromas. Has lots of dark fruit, some olive, meat and berry. Rich and sweet and a nice bottle to open while the Cayuse sleeps...
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10/18/2013 - Champagneinhand Likes this wine: 91 Points
Nice deep purple Syrah. A touch of heat at first, but with time in the glass tis was less noticeable. Their was a meaty juice smell of some beef cooking on hot stones, and a bit of funk, which I can see as being slightly similar to what you expect from Reynvaan and cayuse, but not in such dramatic fashion. Some dark florals intertwined in this funk. On the palate loads of dark fruit, peppercorn and some earthy tones. Decent finish, but nothing lasting long enough for me to pine over. A great companion to burgers topped with blue cheese. Not as thick as some WA syrah, which is not a bad thing, just unexpected.
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10/17/2013 - lirvingham wrote: 92 Points
Dynamite! Again!!
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9/9/2013 - PDX-S wrote:
A moderately dark ruby purple in the glass, this wine is not completely opaque, showing some translucency.
Initial aromas of smoke, grilled meat fat, and charred blue and black berries fairly jump out of the glass. Smells delicious upon opening.
On the lean side of full bodied, the wine is soft and silky, with enough acid to ride on top of the soft tannins.
The palate reinforces the nose with plenty of smoky notes, charred berries, olives, and a long soft finish that shows some light mineral and coffee notes. Over time, the blue fruits come forward a bit, the palate seems to simplify, losing some smoke and mineral while gaining a spicy note.
Well integrated and harmonious flavors, the presentation is fairly smooth and refined, with enough interest to keep me coming back for more.
Solid wine, good primary and secondary flavors that are tasting very well right now.
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8/30/2013 - fitchbuck wrote: 91 Points
Slight disappointment after all the its-like-a-Cayuse hype. I found this to be more like Reynvaan's little brother, but barely even that. I didn't notice that in-the-rocks smack in the face, as one does from the two aforementioned bruiser labels. Yet this was still a very good wine, albeit with a mild green streak that should mellow with age.
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8/17/2013 - lirvingham wrote: 92 Points
Only 8 left and wishing I had more! So great!
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7/26/2013 - Geoff Likes this wine: 93 Points
Has settled in, resting in the cellar. Smoooth, full bodied, but not "knock you over the head" Just right. A touch of green on the finish, but better than 1st bottle.
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7/12/2013 - cpsmith33 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Decanted a few hours and drank over two nights.
Better on night 2 for sure. Smooth and easy v. night 1.
I am a fan of The Rocks, and this fits right in there.
More balanced between fruit and frunk / olive, etc that comes from Cayuse / Reynvaan camp - more like No Girls to me. Just my two cents on limited tasts of some of those but kind of where I am leaning. Signed up for their wine club.
Definitely best value of these wineries, slightly less complex (?)
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6/28/2013 - Wine Gopher wrote: 93 Points
Decanted for an hour and drank with appetizers. In a lineup with QC Palengat, Continuum Novicium, Chappellet Cab Franc and a grenache from Maison Bleue. This was the WOTN for multiple people and I scored it even with the Maison Bleue at the top of the list.
Light-medium body, complex with dark fruits, spice and funk you typically find in the WW Rocks area this wine is notable for its plush tannins and acidic backbone. This was my last of 3 bottles. I feel like I need to find some more of this. I planned to hold it longer and see how it develops but I knew friends would like it so I couldn't resist sharing.
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6/13/2013 - lirvingham wrote: 92 Points
Once again loving it
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6/10/2013 - wineaux2 wrote: 89 Points
This syrah started out with a strong nose and palate of black currant that added blackberry with air. Day 2 added a cherry liqueur note with a hint of meat and olive. Seemed to be all about the fruit at this stage; hoping more complexity will develop with age.
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6/8/2013 - Joegish Likes this wine: 92 Points
I wonder if there is a little bottle variation going on here...this bottle had nice funk and an awesome nose. Liked it quite a bit. 92 - 93.
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6/1/2013 - Geoff Likes this wine: 90 Points
Beautiful nose, smooth, medium/full body. Can feel the alcohol a bit. A little hot. Some green notes on the finish, not to my liking. Long finish. Overall, well done.
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5/18/2013 - MindMuse wrote: 90 Points
Hmm, no funk at all showing up. Nice, good fruit quality, WA taste, but honestly completely outclassed by the Ramey Rodgers Creek Syrah.
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5/10/2013 - mcsac67 wrote: 92 Points
Consistent with my prior tasting. Aromas of blueberry, smoked meat, funk, green olives and a bit of sage. Flavors of cherry, blueberry, meat, olive, herbs and pepper. Long finish, balance and nice complexity for the price. The tannins are well integrated and the wine has a silky and luxurious texture. I need to learn some patience and save the last six bottles, but this is drinking very well.
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5/5/2013 - cpsmith33 Likes this wine: 91 Points
very nice balance of funkiness and dark fruits. half the bottle for tomorrow night.
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4/30/2013 - Acohen wrote: 92 Points
Give it time to open and you will be rewarded with classic Washington funk, dark fruit and a nice balance of blueberry, minerality, olive, spice and meat overtones. Very nice finish and well made. Not quite the complexity of Reynvaan or Cayuse but a great value for the stuffing
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4/28/2013 - WestbyGod wrote: 85 Points
With all the hype this wine has received, I was excited to try this new WA winery. While I have read many references to this wine as "baby Cayuse" or "baby Reynvaan", this bottle did not resemble those wines in the least bit. Rather this bottle reminded me of a generic WA syrah in the $20 range.
PnP on night 1 - nothing on the nose. Full bodied, but with nothing of interest other than a short, spicy finish. Unfortunately, the phrase "blueberry syrup" came to mind.
Night 2 - Pulled from wine fridge and left remainder of bottle open on counter for 1.5 hrs. Still nothing on the nose, but a slightly longer finish. Again, nothing interesting.
Was really disappointed, but the other TNs give me hope that my remaining bottle may be much better. Will wait another 1-2 years before popping that one open.
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4/27/2013 - lirvingham wrote: 90 Points
Drank at el gaucho. Was not drinking quite as good as the other ones, probably due to the sparkling I had before this. Still....super wine.
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4/26/2013 - johnwh402 Likes this wine: 93 Points
This syrah is pure Walla Walla. Funky, gamey, but with a nice portion of dark fruit and not overly tannic; it's a pure joy. Kind of Cayuse meets Mollydooker, this is overall a great example of what a 'rocks' syrah can be. An outstanding deal in the low $30's too!
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4/20/2013 - mcsac67 Likes this wine: 93 Points
I am even more impressed with the second bottle of this wine then I was with the first. Aromas of blueberry, smoked meat, funk, green olives and a bit of sage. Flavors of cherry, blueberry, meat, olive, herbs and pepper. Most noteworthy is the wine's balance. long finish and nice complexity for the price. The tannins are well integrated and the wine has a silky and luxurious texture. So good that we consumed it much too quickly.
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4/13/2013 - kwn70 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Very impressed with this Syrah! The nose was great right out of the gates! Decanted for about forty-five minutes. As we enjoyed it, the nose transitioned from having undertones of blue fruit to a touch of lavender to a hint of pine as we finished off the bottle. Very unique for this price point! Nice, smooth mouth feel and balanced across the palate. Just signed up in their club for a case!
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2/24/2013 - Robert Pavlovich wrote:
So nice and fresh, ultra clean with exquisite green notes jumping out more than the red fruit for me. Just tried a bit of this on a PnP but got a good enough impression to see the quality here.
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2/23/2013 - Tim Heaton wrote:
PnP served at an offline. Virtually the same take-away as Robert's note of 24 February. Lots to enjoy now, even more in the future. Above-average purity and focus, clean, satisfying finish. A good ambassador for W2, I should think.
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2/23/2013 - dpolivy Likes this wine: 93 Points
Funky, savory nose that seems appropriate for the Rocks. Gorgeous depth and length on the body, tied together with silky fine tannins.
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2/20/2013 - special juice wrote: 93 Points
This wine lives up to the expectations that had been built up after reading other tasters' notes. Upon first sniff, I knew this was something special. Funk, earth and brooding dark fruit explode from the glass. On the palate, it is expansive and savory with earth, spice and blackberry flavors. The finish is long and satisfying. (Decanted for 1 hour before tasting.)
One taster pointed out that the amount of oak influence exhibited by this wine was overwhelming. I disagree. The little amount of oak I get is definitely in the backgound and not the forefront (smokiness). This is surely not an "oak bomb."
Day 2- Much of the complexity that I enjoyed on day one has disappeared. However, this wine is still very delicious. If day one is like looking at a beautiful, detailed painting, day two is like squinting your eyes while looking at the same painting.
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1/31/2013 - curtispomeroy Likes this wine: 91 Points
Agree with other reviewers that this wine is drinking really well right now and offers a lot cf complexity for the price.
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1/24/2013 - ClubTerry Likes this wine: 94 Points
Decided to give more decant time...boy was I rewarded. Much more depth and pronounced flavors. One of the Best QPR in Walla Walla.
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1/22/2013 - ClubTerry Likes this wine: 92 Points
Still needs some cellar time. Olive, smoke, tobacco, dark fruits and just a little funk. Great QPR for Walla Walla Syrah from the rocks region.
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1/7/2013 - EmperorNorton wrote: 93 Points
I usually take breathless enthusiasm on wine-distribution lists with a huge grain of salt (they can't all be the find of the year from the pristine virgin shores of rural Italy, Jon Rimmerman), but this was the first bottle that Paul Zitarelli has ever been visibly excited about, and goddamn was he ever right. This one is stunning--full of rocks and dirt and the kind of low notes that make syrah sing. Bottle took a few minutes to open, and benefited from a trip through the Venturi, and then look out.
I'm not totally sure how well this is going to age, and it's still a little young right now, so I'm hesitant to specify a window. Through an act of willpower, I left a bit in the bottom of the bottle to see what would happen with some air. This was a mistake. Day 2 was a serious disappointment--most of the really exciting minerality had leeched out, turning this into a well-below-average WA syrah. I'd say "drink it all on day 1," but it's not like you're going to need a lot of encouragement when you see how far above its weight class this wine is punching.
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1/1/2013 - Kevincrouch Likes this wine:
This was definitely drunk many years too soon. After several hours it just barely started to loosen up. Mostly tight fruit and some funky smokey notes. I need to buy more of this and just let it mature.
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12/4/2012 - Mary Crawford wrote: 91 Points
Yum, yum, yum and only 13.7% alcohol. Olives, funk, big black fruit and caramel. Very memorable.
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12/1/2012 - powersaxo Likes this wine: 95 Points
Disclaimer: this bottle was the first W2 'funk' wine I've had...
As much as I had a hard time wrapping my head around the descriptions of this style of syrah, it was everything I have heard. One the nose, olives, bacon fat, mineral, and blood. On the palate, these flavors persisted and expanded to include umami and 'the funk'. Nary a rough edge in this wine as the tannin was barely noticeable and enough acidity to make it drink very wet. One of the most distinctive wines I have ever had. Will be curious to see how this stacks up against my first Cayuse next month.
Had with Kobe tri tip, roasted roots, and Chinese style broccoli. The wine went great with the broccoli, accentuate the parsnips, and made the tri-tip at times almost velvety with a hint of dried fruit.
The FIL, who usually only had one glass when I open a bottle, went out of his way to say he liked it and had two glasses.
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11/28/2012 - lirvingham wrote: 93 Points
This wine really is baby cayuse! Incredible! Drinking well now but should do fine w some age too. Im buying more now!
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11/28/2012 - Wine Gopher wrote: 92 Points
This is sleek, sexy and luxurious. It feels like silk on the tongue. The nose was a little reserved at first but opened after a decant. There is a slight funk mixed with cherry, darker fruits and dried herbs. On the palate I get cherry followed by blueberry and herbs with that classic Walla Walla Rocks funk but more subdued than Cayuse. The finish is long and smooth.
fwiw-I don't the oak isn't overly noticeable. I think the previous poster was mistaking barnyard funk for oak or we had completely different bottles of this wine.
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11/18/2012 - dontime wrote:
Damn (Paul)! This stuff was good. Smoky meat, blood and rich dark fruit. No oak. Silky smooth tannins with enough acid to keep it right. Would love to find more. If scoring 92-94.
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11/17/2012 - JasonPineda wrote: 91 Points
- Purple color.
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11/10/2012 - pdemaio Likes this wine: 93 Points
Not sure I'd call it a “Baby Cayuse” but this bottle showed a bit more of the rocks signature funk. Still nothing like the bigger/crazier cayuse or early reynvaan, and honestly, I think that's a good thing. This wine is more pure, lovely and approachable, but still has that terrior.
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11/8/2012 - kakpoo wrote:
I get burned so often when taking a chance on a domestic wine that I don't know why I still bother. Between the 4 tasting notes here and the few reviews I found, everyone failed to mention the OAK on the nose and palate of this wine. If Kentucky bourbon is your beverage of choice, then you might be immune enough to heavy oak to be able to pick up on the fruit and minerailty in this wine...my old world palate was too overloaded by oak to detect anything other than a faint hint of "earthy funk" that some of the reviews mentioned. Maybe the bottle I tried is corked and thus the fruit isn't coming through otherwise this is just another new world oak bomb that I wouldn't even purchase and drink for $1. I'm saving 1/2 the bottle and will leave another comment if anything changes tomorrow.
Day 2: didn't drink any more but kept the bottle corked, and in the refrigerator.
Day 3: The oak is still prominent on the nose but it has competition on day two in the form of spices, possibly plums and some green vegetables and/or maple syrup. Definitely much more interesting today, so I would hold this wine a bit or allow a at least a couple of hours of decant prior to consumption. I feel as though the same flavors competing on the nose are also competing on the palate. Nice acidity and minerality on the finish today. For my old world palate, this wine still isn't worth $30+ compared to some of the Italian wines I could get in that range, but its showing far better today than yesterday. As far as US wines go, its not a bad value for a contemplative, unique syrah. If I was limited to just U.S. wines or if I could find this for under $25, I would definitely consider purchasing this again....still too muck oak though.
Day 5: Surprising still enjoyable. I've was planning on drinking the rest last night so I took it out of the fridge to let it warm up. Then I forgot about it and went to bed. I put it back in the fridge this morning and decided to taste it before dumping the last glass. It still tastes about as good as on day 3. The fact that this domestic wine survived for so many days impressed me so I thought I should let you all know.
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11/5/2012 - pdemaio Likes this wine: 94 Points
Lovely little fruit forward, but focused syrah. Hints of rhone. Powerful midpalate and long finish. Not as much funk as some from the rocks, but it's their in the backgound.
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11/4/2012 - Fugu Me Likes this wine:
I had been looking forward to trying this based on the write-up it received from Damn Paul, and it didn't disappoint. Young wine from young vines, it lead off with black fruits and a bit of spiciness balanced with a nice acidity and fairly soft tannins. After 45 minutes or so, it began to display really nice roasted meat flavors on the palate and nose which came to dominate the fruit over the next hour or so. I think this is a wine to hold onto for 2-5 years to see what happens, although I don't know that this vintage has the legs to hold on for more than that.
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11/4/2012 - mcsac67 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Aromas of blueberry, smoked meat, cocoa and spice. Well balanced, soft and ripe. Flavors of blueberry, a hint of anise and pepper in the finish. Very nice wine.
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10/13/2012 - curtr wrote: 90 Points
Very balanced, dark fruit, medium bodied wine. Very good character. Drinking well now and will last 4-6 years. Very good quality for young vines.
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10/12/2012 - ewsds wrote: 91 Points
A very nice newcomer to the Walla Walla Syrah club! I had heard this was good via a couple of pundits, and by gosh, it is! At first sniff, it's a nose of bright plum and purple fruits. On the palate, a bright (good acidity, like most of the 2010s) and medium-bodied Syrah with fresh purple and blue fruits, especially plums. Very fruit forward, but not a "block-buster" in style (13.7% abv, low for a WA or WW Syrah). Very fresh and almost "grapey" (probably due to the new vines that were used in this wine, based on what I read), with some minerality and a bit of spice on the finish. A very nice and balanced effort from a "new kid on the block" winery that shows great promise. I could happily sip this anytime, and wish I had more than the few bottles I purchased.
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9/22/2012 - DRob wrote:
Ripe, dark and spicy. Plenty of life expectancy from its powerful fruit, tannin and acidity balance. Hard to believe how young the vines are making this quality of a wine. 3rd leaf, I think.
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