2016 No Girls "La Paciencia Vineyard" Walla Walla Valley Syrah
SKU #1481074
97 points
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Not yet released when I tasted it, the nose of the 2016 Syrah la Paciencia Vineyard immediately reminds me of Côte-Rôtie with the ever-present floral lift and mineral tension. The nose is silky and elegant, with a focus on quality and precision that is instantly recognizable, with hints of black truffle, orange peel and a soft smokiness to the expression. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, the wine's mineral tension evolves into a petrichor note reminiscent of the first rain of the season over sun-baked earth. The palate continues to grow with red and dark fruits that become more expressive with each passing moment. This Syrah has an extraordinary length and texture for such a graceful wine, and the aftertaste lingers for days. This is the bottling that you will want to hide away in your cellar. Only 331 cases were made. (AM)
(12/2019)
96 points
Jeb Dunnuck
The 2016 Syrah La Paciencia Vineyard was fermented in concrete (60-70% stems) and brought up in used demi-muid. Blackberries, smoked earth, cured meats, violets, and orange rind notes all flow to a beautiful, seamless, thrillingly refined effort that reminds me of a top traditional Côte Rôtie. 331 cases.
(4/2019)
95 points
Wine Enthusiast
Complex aromas with heaping amounts of black pepper, potpourri, earth, funk, nori, black olive brine, peat and wet stone are followed by an elegant, yet rich, flavorful palate. It shows a compelling sense of deftness along with a hyperextended finish, filled with savory and floral notes. There is a mouthwatering sense to it that heightens the appeal. A knee buckler. (SS)
(10/2019)
94 points
Vinous
Dark, bright red. Complex, highly nuanced nose offers scents of red raspberry, smoked meat, olive tapenade and red licorice; I would have guessed northern Rhône. Boasts terrific sweetness of fruit (red cherry, raspberry, boysenberry) complicated by notes of charcuterie and rose petal. Wonderfully silky, slightly high-toned Syrah with an almost Pinot-like texture, showing a near-perfect harmony between primary red fruit and savory smoked meat elements. The vine direction here is just 13 degrees off true north-south, which winemaker Bourcier says protects the fruit against the late-afternoon sun. Perhaps the best vintage to date for this bottling. (13.6% alcohol; vinified with 70% whole clusters) (ST)
(12/2019)