2008 Cayuse, Bionic Frog Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 1x750ml

Vinous 95

(14.4% alcohol; picked on October 2 in a growing season that feature rain during the third week of September): Good medium-dark red. Wild, flamboyantly Old World aromas of raspberry, leather, game, woodsmoke, thyme and rosemary. Wonderfully plush, full wine with great mouth coverage to its flavors of black raspberry, charred oak and aged beef. Finishes with firm-edged tannins and terrific length and purity, displaying a note of lavender and a subtle, slightly cool bitterness in a positive way without losing its essential silkiness of texture. Baron noted that the vines gained hang time from the rain, and he was able to vinify with 65% whole clusters. [Stephen Tanzer, 10/01/2017]

Anticipated maturity: 2018-2024

Robert Parker 97

I thought the 2008 Syrah Bionic Frog was insanely good. Checking in at 14.4% natural alcohol (the 2009 was 14.7 and the 2010 14.8), it has soaring notes of cassis, black raspberries, violets, white flowers, mint and olives to go with a full-bodied, ultra-pure, silky, yet concentrated and layered feel on the palate. One of the more elegant, silky and finesse driven examples of this cuvee, it has heavenly aromatics and will have upward of two decades of longevity. [01/06/2015]

Anticipated maturity: 2016-2028