2013 Cayuse Syrah en Cerise, Walla Walla Valley RP--95

Robert Parker: 95 Points
eRobertParker.com #225 Jun 2016 Jeb Dunnuck 95 Drink: 2019 - 2029 $100-$129 (80) Brought up in a scant 15% new puncheons, the 2013 Syrah en Cerise is a beautifully layered, elegant, yet focused and concentrated Syrah that really needs 2-3 years of bottle age to strut its stuff. Black cherries, raw steak, violets and pepper all emerge from this full-bodied, balanced, classic Syrah from one the top winemakers in the US. Looking at these latest releases from Cayuse, the 2013s are surprisingly elegant and silky, with less overall concentration and depth than I expected after tasting them from barrel last year. They possess slightly lighter, translucent colors, moderate to good concentration and polished tannin. At times I was wishing for a touch more exuberance and texture. Nevertheless, these are silky, seamless, elegant wines that will be fun to follow over the coming decade or more. The 2014s also lean towards the more elegant, streamlined end of the spectrum, yet have another layer of texture and richness. They're a step up over the 2013s.