“A truly stunning wine of amazing complexity. It has layers of depth rarely found in any Washington wine.”
—Harvey Steiman,
Wine Spectator

Armada Vineyard Syrah

Produced: 2003 - present

Professional reviews and tasting notes from prior vintages:

2008

The 2008 Armada Vineyard Syrah takes the longest to come around according to Christophe Baron. It was aged in puncheon for 22 months. Smoked meat, game, Asian spices, lavender, and blueberry are just some of the scents composing the wine’s aromatic array. In the glass it opens to reveal a pure, rich, elegant but powerful wine with a 60-second finish. It, too, will drink nicely for 10-12 years... 98 points. –Jay Miller, The Wine Advocate

Full red-ruby. Explosive aromas of black cherry, minerals, flowers, brown spices and pepper. Wonderfully dense and penetrating, with compelling sweetness to its dark berry and spice flavors. Finishes with silky tannins and outstanding length. Like a topnotch Old World wine in the way it spreads out horizontally to saturate the palate without leaving any undue impression of weight. 95 points. –Jay Miller, The Wine Advocate

2007

The 2007 Syrah Armada Vineyard (100%) was aged in Rostaing puncheons, one of them new, for 30 months. Aromatically, it is the most brooding and Cote-Rotie-like of these Syrahs with notes of smoke, meat, game, garrigue, lavender, and blueberry. The most tightly wound of the Syrahs, it is the one that will most profit from several years of cellaring. It should offer prime drinking from 2014 to 2027. 98 points. –Jay Miller, The Wine Advocate

2006

Silky, supple and complex from the first sniff to the last echo on the long, expressive finish, this drips with character, offering black olive-accented blackberry, plum and cherry fruit mingling with hints of unsweetened chocolate, bacon-stewed greens and haunting spices. 97 points. –Harvey Steiman, Wine Spectator

The 2006 Syrah Armada Vineyard was aged in barrel for 30 months in 20% new Rostaing barrels. Aromatically, it is the most brooding of these Syrahs with notes of smoke, meat, game, garrigue, and blueberry. The most tightly wound of the Syrahs, it is the one that will most profit from several years of cellaring. It should offer prime drinking from 2012 to 2021. 98 points. –Jay Miller, The Wine Advocate

2004

The 2004 Syrah Armada Vineyard spent 30 months in puncheon. Yields were under 1 ton per acre. Floral notes, mineral, scorched earth, meat and blueberry make for an enticing mix. An amalgam of black fruits, tar, and licorice appear on the palate. It seems improbable that a wine of this scale could be thought “racy” but it is, quite an achievement. Kudos to Christophe Baron for another amazing set of wines! 98 points. –Jay Miller, The Wine Advocate

Ripe, round and generous with its cherry, red berry and dusky spice flavors. Hints at tomato and savory notes as the finish persists, although the fruit just doesn't quit. Drink now through 2015. 92 points. –Harvey Steiman, Wine Spectator

2003

A truly stunning wine of amazing complexity. It has layers of depth rarely found in any Washington wines, beginning with dense black fruits, black licorice, smoke, pepper and charcoal. The trademark Cayuse herbal/green tea elements are there also, more as hints than as layers. The aging in big neutral barriques has buffed it out; as it breathes in the glass the wine opens beautifully, gaining flesh and density. A genuine tour de force, deeply aromatic and fascinating. 97 points. –Paul Gregutt, Wine Enthusiast

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