2019 No Girls "La Paciencia Vineyard" Walla Walla Valley Syrah

With a brilliantly seductive nose, the 2019 Syrah la Paciencia Vineyard is initially floral with hints of smoked pork belly, lavender and dusty plum blossom. Medium to full-bodied, the Syrah bursts with power and finesse while displaying sensations of umami and subtly spiced savory herbs, dusty flowers and a delightful mineral tension. The wine continues to evolve and unpack in the mouth, revealing a gorgeously long, lingering finish. (AM)

This transports the taster to the Northern Rhône, yet takes some coaxing to unlock the array of violet florals, river stones, sweet smoke, red plums and spiced tangerine that make the 2019 Syrah La Paciencia Vineyard simply irresistible. It’s like liquid velvet on the palate without being weighty, with ripe black fruits and pepper-tinged herbal tones that mix to create a push and pull of savory and sweet. The 2019 finishes incredibly fresh and lightly structured, leaving a resonance of sage-tinged currants and liquid stone. There’s already so much going on here today, but I believe the best is yet to come. Of note, about 60%-70% of whole-cluster fruit was used during fermentation. (EG)