Cristom Estate Syrah 2018

Highly perfumed scents of black and blue fruits, Indian spices, pungent flowers and cola, joined by a smoky nuance that builds in the glass. Palate-staining blackberry and boysenberry flavors show very good depth, and exotic violet pastille and black pepper nuances add complexity. Finishes smooth, spicy and warm, displaying lingering notes of sweet dark berry liqueur and gentle tannins. (JR) (1/2017)

The thicker skins of the 2013 Syrah meant that it was picked a long time after the rains on 30 October, to benefit from the warm month. It has an attractive nose of boysenberry, bilberry, marmalade and rosemary scents that lean towards Côte-Rôtie in style. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, well-judged acidity, plenty of energy here with great tension on the finish. This is a top-drawer Syrah from Cristom that is going to age with some style. It comes highly recommended.

Cristom’s small syrah vineyard has benefited from the last few warm vintages in Oregon, which have brought a warm core of flavor that lends harmony to its exotic scents. It’s never lacking in aromatic delights—mace, gingerbread, smoke and crushed pepper dominate—but the flavors are dark and satisfying, the textures velvety and tightly woven.