2021 Cayuse Syrah Wallah Wallah Special #15
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Wilted violets, wet stones, bacon fat and citrus-tinged blackberries form an enticing bouquet as the 2021 Syrah Wallah Wallah Special #15 evolves in the glass. This is juicy and lifted in style with bright red berry fruits and tactile mineral tones that add a pleasant crunchy sensation, all elevated by a stream of cooling acidity. A bitter tinge resonates over a web of fine tannins as hints of licorice and inner rosy florals cascade throughout. The Syrah Wallah Wallah Special #15 is stacked and over-delivers in every possible way.
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James Suckling
Jeb Dunnuck
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The Wallah Wallah Special releases are always a blend of vineyards, although Christophe never tells which ones. Nevertheless, these tend to have a more Northern Rhône-inspired profile. The 2021 Syrah Wallah Wallah Special #15 is another gorgeous effort from this talented vigneron, and it offers a deep ruby hue to go with incredible aromatics of red, blue, and black fruits interwoven with notions of cold fireplace, shiitake mushrooms, rose petals, bloody meat, and ground pepper, just to name of few of its nuances. These carry to a medium to full-bodied Syrah with a deep, layered mouthfeel, beautifully polished, elegant tannins, rock star mid-palate depth, and a great, great finish. It's one of the bigger, richer 2021s in the lineup, and this absolutely gorgeous Syrah will have 20-25 years of overall longevity. Bravo.
The 2021 Wallah Wallah Special Syrah #15, a 100% Syrah, offers fresh, ripe and juicy aromas without being overly ripe. It gradually unfurls in the glass with notes of dusty red flowers, spiced plum and sweet herbal hints alongside brown and black spices. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is fresh, complex and layered, showcasing a youthful approachability destined to last for over two decades, as this bottling is exclusively available in magnum format. This Syrah rewards patience, tempting early openers with the promise of even greater enjoyment down the line. The wine aged for18 months in about 20% new French demi-muids, foudre and barrels. 2,862 bottles produced.
Dried flowers, sage, wild cherries, black and green olives, tobacco smoke and peppered meat on the nose. Itâs meaty, juicy and delicious, with ripe, well-rounded tannins and a medium to full body. This just screams syrah and brings joy. Only produced in magnum. From biodynamically grown grapes. Best from 2026.