Jamie Goode | Sweet herbs and undergrowth on the nose, which brings together the sweet and savory. A bit of tar and spice, too. The palate is broad and sweet, with a contrast between the tinned strawberry and cherry fruit, and some savory, stony, herbal characters. There’s a slight disconnect here between the ripe sweetness and the savory dimensions, but it delivers a lot of pleasure. | 90

Andrew Jefford | Dark black-red, and just translucent. Warm, fresh, smoky fruits; we’re just beyond the herbaceous stage here, and the smokiness has a purity that doesn’t shade into rubberiness. Attractive and enticing. The palate delivers what the aromas promised: a fresh, incisive, zesty wine with both floral notes and a smoky finish. The saline edge typical of other Walla Walla Syrah is there; the wine’s structure comes from its bright acidity rather than its very muted tannic presence. Lots of classic Northern Rhône Syrah style to this; we are a world away from “Shiraz” here. Yet the wine has a glycerous fullness, too, and is much less aggressive and driving than many of its peers, therefore more drinkable. It’s just a little bit obvious within that style, which is why I can’t move it to a higher score. | 91

David Williams | Deep and intriguing, complex nose, with a swirl of spice and berries; on the palate, that classic peppery Syrah character in sweet fruit, with a drinkable pulse of freshness and sinewy texture, spice, and black-olive darkness. Long and fresh finish. Convincing. | 92