Syrah 'Wallah Wallah Special #16'

Score

98

"A secret blend bottled only in magnum, the 2022 Syrah Wallah Wallah Special #16 sources from Cayuse and Horsepower vineyards depending on the vintage and is the ultimate party wine; show up with this and the world will be your oyster. Supple and approachable in a medium-bodied Northern Rhône kind of way, it shines in dense black fruit and bacon fat, ready to be enjoyed now and for another 10-15 years."

Score

98

"Nothing is perfect, but this powerfully built Syrah comes wickedly close. Blackberry and bacon-fat aromas unite with notes of thyme and a bowl of oats sprinkled with brown sugar. Cherry-compote, cumin and black-tea flavors hang on a wall of sturdy tannins, with acidity as bright as a sun. Enjoy 2024-2039. Cellar Selection. -M.A."

Score

95

"Salted plums, iodine, seaweed and smoked meat on the nose. It's briny, meaty and deliciously saline, with a full body and wide, ripe tannins. So attractive. Produced only in magnum bottles. Drink from 2026."

Score

94

"Dusty rose and sage give way to red plums and blood orange as the 2022 Syrah Wallah Wallah Special No. 16 evolves in the glass. It is texturally deep, with saline mineral tones up front complicating its ripe red and black fruits. Savory herbs and olive tones resonate as the 2022 finishes long yet impressively fresh."

Score

94

"Polished and rich with detail, offering tiers of raspberry and blueberry flavors laced with tapenade, fruitcake spices and licorice as this gathers precision on the savory finish. Drink now through 2036."T.F."

Score

93

"The 2022 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."