Assorted Va Piano "Black Label - Stoney Vine Vineyard" Walla Walla Valley Syrah

“Showing tons of “Rocks” character, the 2015 Syrah Black Label Stoney Vine Vineyard is all Syrah from the Stoney Vine Vineyard in Walla Walla. It has loads of gamy meats, peat, pepper and lavender, as well as tapenade and darker fruits. Ripe, rounded and voluptuous, it's a downright sexy red that's going to drink nicely on release. (JD)” (06/2017)

“(14% alcohol; vinified with 50% whole clusters; from a higher-pH site that Va Piano harvests early; aged in 20% new puncheons): Bright red-ruby. Expressive cherry and raspberry aromas are complemented by spices, smoky oak and a note of beef jerky. Fleshy and fine-grained, with its concentrated red fruit flavors showing intriguing balsamic and saline qualities. Layered, broad Syrah with a pH of 4.02. (ST)” (10/2017)

“The 2016 Syrah Stoney Vine (100% Syrah) is more open and approachable, with a vibrant nose of kirsch, currants, gamey meats, and olive tapenade. Rounded, supple, medium to full-bodied, and beautifully elegant, it's certainly the most upfront and ready to go of these two top Syrahs. It should keep for 7-8 years. Winemaker Justin Wylie has pretty much knocked it out of the park with these latest 2016s and there are the finest set of releases I’ve tasted from Va Piano.” (04/2019)

“Lots of dried-meat, tea, green coffee-bean and berry character. Medium body. Savory. Drink now.” (04/2020)

“The 2016 Syrah Black Label Stoney Vine Vineyard has a dense note of blackberry and black spice on the nose, with a BBQ pit smokiness. The wine is full-bodied, rich and robust on the palate, with ample complexity and balance for a bold wine and an open-knit core that is expressive on the elongated finish. It's a big, juicy, wine with layers of appeal. This would make a lovely addition to any collector's cellar. 300 cases produced. (AM)” (12/2019)

“Hailing from the Rocks District, with aromas that pop with notes of green herb, green olive, fire pit, flower and charcuterie, leaning hard into the savory. Light, palate coating flavors follow. (SS)” (05/2019)

“(this vineyard in The Rocks is owned by Sleight of Hand Cellars and Dusted Valley): Medium red; not hugely saturated. Musky aromas of purple fruits, violet, licorice pastille, black pepper and leather are precise but youthfully tight. Suave and fine-grained, conveying a touch of sweetness but less depth than the Les Collines bottling. Firm acidity and a lightly peppery quality gives this wine a distinctly juicy character and a light touch. Finishes with smooth tannins and a note of smoky minerality. Justin Wylie told me that he used no more than 20% new oak for these 2016 Syrahs and that the percentage will be reduced further in future vintages. (14.1% alcohol) (ST)” (06/2018)

“A meaty, nutty, peppery, beefy wine, the 2018 Syrah Stoney Vine Vineyard (100% Rocks Syrah) is full-bodied and has a round, mouth-filling texture, savory tannins, and a great finish. It’s about as funky and wild as they come, and I expect it won’t be for everyone. Nevertheless, I think it’s a beautiful Syrah...” (05/2021)

“Ruby-red. Intriguing if rather extreme scents of dark raspberry, bacon fat and pickled olive with pimento. Similarly quite olive-briney on the palate, which is concentrated and distinctly salty in a classic Rocks way. Less gamey than the 2017 version but perhaps more exaggerated, showing a seamless texture but a slicker mouth feel. Finishes with very smooth tannins. A distinctly wild style best suited for experienced fans of The Rocks. But the pH of 3.85 is not particularly elevated for Syrah from this area. I raised my score a point when extended aeration brought more balancing fruit. But don't bury this feral child too deep in your cellar. (ST)” (10/2020)

“Dark and spicy in the glass, the 2018 Syrah Black Label Stoney Vine Vineyard offers up slightly stewed elements of plums, blackberry and dark cherry with an undercurrent of rawhide, wilted lavender and roasted coffee. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has plenty of fruit but leaves me wanting more freshness and energizing acidity to frame the mid-palate before ending with a dense, chewy and slightly raisined finish. Only 1,284 bottles were produced. (AM)” (07/2021)