2018 Reynvaan Family Syrah Stonessence
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Tasting notes
Musky black currants, olive and animal tones are pleasantly offset by exotic spice as the 2018 Stonessence blossoms in the glass. Silky and supple, with racy acidity and sweet inner herbal tones, this soothes with ripe blue floral laced fruits that give way to cocoa notes. The 2018 tapers off with sweet framing tannins and a staining of lingering concentration, as minty herbal tones slowly fade. Now with a few years of maturity the Stonessence, a varietal Syrah from the In The Rocks vineyard, is showing beautifully.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jeb Dunnuck
Eric Guido, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Reductive on the nose at the moment, the 2018 Syrah Stonessence gives up aromas of blackberry, roasted coffee bean, dried herbs and dusty dark fruit. Medium-bodied and with 13.2% alcohol, the palate offers a green herbal note, black plum and dark cherry elements followed by a growing spice sensation and gripping tannins. The wine finishes with an oaky essence and firm mineral grip. Give this some time in the cellar to come around, and drink over the next 15 years.
The 2018 Syrah Stonessence is another gem that flirts with perfection. Coming from the In the Rocks Vineyard, which is in the Rocks region of the Walla Walla Valley, it’s 100% Syrah that was 90% destemmed and brought up in neutral puncheons. Reminding me of a great vintage from Jamet (I originally wrote “like their Côte Brune”), it has ample bright berry fruits (framboise, blackberries) interwoven with layers of crushed violets, cracked peppercorns, gunpowder, and spring flowers. Incredibly floral, nuanced, and complex on the nose, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, a tight, focused, yet somehow still broad and expansive texture, ripe tannins, and a great, great finish. Don’t miss it.