2016 Cayuse "Bionic Frog" Walla Walla Valley Syrah

“Pure perfection in a glass, the 2016 Syrah Bionic Frog is another magical wine from this estate and is as good as it gets. Crème de cassis, rose petals, menthol, ash, and smoky, meaty, soy sauce notes all emerge from this singular wine. Full-bodied, expansive, and powerful yet weightless on the palate, it has ultra-fine tannins, a brilliant finish, and a singular, magical character. (JD)” (04/2019)

“There’s a darker and deeper character that sets this syrah apart from the rest at Cayuse. Staggering intensity of black-fruit aromas and woody spices, as well as dark chocolate and meaty notes. The palate has a sense of total saturation and the tannins are so polished, so long and so dense. There’s an ethereal mood here, transcending individual descriptors and delivering licorice, sarsaparilla and blackberries, all bathed in hard, brown spices. Seamless, long and silky.” (04/2019)

“The 2016 Syrah Bionic Frog needs no introduction, as its reputation proceeds it. Aromas of black fruit, olive and savory herbs with hints of mustard seed waft from the nose. The palate shows soft flavors of smoke and ash over a firm core of minerality that is very pleasurable, continuing on to the long-lingering finish and aftertaste of olive and dark berries. (AM)” (12/2019)

“Bright red-ruby. Urgent, very pure aromas of pungent dark cherry, black olive and chicory lifted by a floral topnote. Wonderfully silky and velvety in the mouth, but also with terrific definition to its alluring flavors of framboise, dried herbs, briny olive and dried Indian spices. This round, utterly seamless, mouthfilling Syrah finishes with ripe, noble tannins, staining the palate with late notes of minerals, black olive and blood sausage. It will need a while to absorb some of its baby fat and may well go through a closed stage in bottle at some point. (ST)” (12/2019)

“The aromas fascinate, with notes of funk, earth, savory green olive, herb, soot, umami, black pepper, black olive brine, smoked meat and caper. It shows a profound sense of intensity, balance and layering to the savory and floral flavors that continue through the long, richly flavored finish of firepit and flowers. (SS)” (10/2019)

“Plump, with personality, and well-structured, with vibrant raspberry, garrigue and bacon fat flavors that build richness and focus toward polished tannins. (TF)” (08/2019)

“The aromas are quite subtle to start, becoming more expressive with air, while the palate is immediately full of intensity. There are notes of mixed crushed rock salts, savoury dried meats, crushed mustard seed and a generous palate of earthy notes, dark fruit and spices. The wine is generous, mouth-watering, palate-filling, yet also fresh and lengthy. It clearly comes from the stones of southern Walla Walla. A wine for Syrah lovers. 18/20 points (ECB)” (03/2022)