2019 Cayuse Bionic Frog Walla Walla Valley Syrah [JD100][JS98][WA98][V97][WS95]

"I always love this cuvée and the 2019 Syrah Bionic Frog stands out with its own singular character. Incredible crème de cassis and blueberry fruits, notes of iron, ground pepper, violets, and beef blood, full-bodied richness, perfect tannins, and that rare mix of richness and elegance all define this incredible Syrah. It shows the more elegant, cooler style of the vintage yet still brings incredible fruit and is just a magical expression of Syrah that could come from nowhere else. Hats off to Christophe Baron and his team for another flat-out awesome Syrah that I wish every reader could taste." 

"Inviting aromas of hot stones, plums, black cherries and basil with a underlying note of dried rose. Medium-bodied with silky tannins. This hums with gorgeous red fruit. White pepper and hot paprika dance on the palate. Harmonious, juicy, and exciting. Long. So much nuance and character here yet ripe and wild. Fantastic." 

"Outstanding as always, the 2019 Syrah Bionic Frog offers a seductive and generous frame and stemmy notion from having 70% of the stems added back in. The wine is fresh, bright and juicy with flavors of black raspberry, blueberry, blackberry compote and savory essences of dried herbs and peppercorns. Medium to full-bodied, the wine coats the mouth with a round and luscious mouthfeel, displaying its impeccable balance and fine tannic structure. It’s yet another fantastic vintage for the Bionic Frog." 

"Today, the bouquet of the 2019 Syrah Bionic Frog is youthfully moody, showing glimpses of rosemary, flintstone, brined olives, red plum and crushed rocks. It comes to life on the palate, mineral-tinged, yet packed full of vibrant red and black fruits that are energized by stimulating acidity and hints of sour citrus. This leaves a reverberation of zesty tension through the dramatically long finish, lightly structured with framing tannins and nearly salty in character, yet still spry, as nuances of sage and exotic spice slowly taper off. The inner harmony here is something to behold, yet the 2019 is just begging for some cellaring to come fully into focus. It’s totally inward today, yet packed full of potential." 

"Opens with vibrant raspberry and green peppercorn flavors and quickly builds torque and tannins, with smoked meat and river stone accents that linger on the rich finish."