“A lavish mouthful of cherry and plum, with a whole shelf
of fresh spices that sail on
and on.”
—Harvey Steiman,
Wine Spectator

En Chamberlin Vineyard Syrah

Produced: 2002 - present

Professional reviews and tasting notes from prior vintages:

2008

The 2008 En Chamberlin Vineyard Syrah offers up notes of tar, licorice, earthy minerals, blueberry, and blackberry. Dense and powerful on the palate, this appears to be Baron’s take on Hermitage. 98 Points.
–Jay Miller, Wine Advocate

Bright, deep ruby-red. Captivating aromas of boysenberry and mocha. Dense, sweet and savory, with exotic flavors of candied blackberry, hickory-smoked meat and leather. The thickness of this syrah is nicely leavened by harmonious, ripe acidity. Finishes with perfectly integrated acidity and palate-staining richness. 93 Points.
–Steven Tanzer, International Wine Cellar

2007

In a stunning lineup of Cayuse Syrahs, the En Chamberlin wins by a nose. It's smooth and silky, with a tongue-bending blend of flavors that include blood and iron, umami and salt, at first overtaking the pure fruit, but adding tremendous depth and power. the endless finish unfolds into a wine with exotic spices and complex layering. 100 Points. –Paul Gregutt, Wine Enthusiast

The 2007 Syrah En Chamberlin Vineyard is even more complex aromatically with its notes of crushed stone, smoked meat, espresso, truffle, blueberry, and black raspberry. Full-bodied, ripe, intensely flavored yet elegant, it has a 60-second finish that is pure silk. 98 Points. –Jay Miller, Wine Advocate

Supple, silky and tightly focused, offering a sleek mouthful of juicy plum, blackberry and licorice flavors, picking up mineral notes of wet slate and crushed brick as the finish sails on and on. This is almost delicate in its deft balance, but has great intensity. Drink now through 2020. 94 Points. –Harvey Steiman, Wine Spectator

2006

The 2006 Syrah En Chamberlin Vineyard is even more complex aromatically (perhaps kinky is a better word) with its notes of crushed stone, smoked meat, well-aged game, blueberry, and black raspberry. Full-bodied, ripe, intensely flavored yet elegant, it has a 60-second finish that is pure silk. 98 Points. –Jay Miller, Wine Advocate

Silky and distinctive, showing earthy, spicy overtones to the central theme of boysenberry and pomegranate fruit, centering on cherry as the finish lingers enticingly. There's a beautifully polished texture. Best from 2011 through 2018. 93 Points. –Harvey Steiman, Wine Spectator

2005

The 2005 Syrah En Chamberlin is opaque purple with notes of bacon, meat, and blueberry. Totally seamless on the palate, there is plenty of craftily concealed tannin. The wine can be enjoyed now but will be so much better with another 6-8 years of cellaring. Dense and packed, the finish lasts for well over a minute. 98 Points. –Jay Miller, Wine Advocate

Smooth and velvety, with a definite black olive note weaving through the blackberry, plum and white pepper flavors, which keep growing as the finish persists. Deft and filled with personality, this has plenty of power to age gracefully. Drink now through 2015. 94 points. –Harvey Steiman, Wine Spectator

2004

The 2004 Syrah "En Chamberlin Vineyard" is Cote-Rotie-like in its racy style. Beautifully perfumed with aromas of bacon, sausage, truffle, blueberry, and blackberry liqueur, this super-concentrated effort is impeccably structured for the long haul. It has enough succulence to provide pleasure now but it merits 8-10 years in the bottle to fully express itself. Patient pleasure-seekers will enjoy this wine through 2040. 97 Points. –Jay Miller, The Wine Advocate

Superpolished, big and ripe. A lavish mouthful of cherry and plum, with a whole shelf of fresh spices that sail on and on. An earthy note adds interest to the aromas, and a distinct mineral undertone emerges strongly as the finish persists beautifully. Drink now through 2014. 94 points. –Harvey Steiman, Wine Spectator

2003

Ruby-red. Knockout nose combines dark berries, gunflint, coffee, smoked meat and a floral element. Densely packed and tactile, with a slightly salty character to the blackberry and floral flavors. A distinctly Old World style of syrah that conveys a high- pH mouth feel. 92 points. –Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar

Sadly, there are but 369 cases of the outstanding 2003 Syrah En Chamberlin Vineyard. This wine’s aromas soar from the glass, displaying black raspberries, spicy tangerine skins, and horse sweat. Medium to full-bodied and suave, it coats the taster’s palate with deep layers of satiny cassis and leather-like flavors. In addition, this outstanding effort reveals a lengthy, fruit-filled, silky finish with notes of horse hide and black raspberries. Drink this wonderful Syrah over the next 5-6 years. 92 points. –Pierre Rovani, The Wine Advocate

Plush and dense with exotic spice and stone overtones to the plum and cherry flavors, a mouth filling red that coats the palate with soft, silky tannins and then drenches it with flavor. The finish sails on and on. Best from 2007 through 2015. 94 points.
–Harvey Steiman, Wine Spectator

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