Bold, juicy and accessible, the 2020 Syrah Klein Vineyard is open-knit and ready for action with beefy and floral aromas and succulent dark cherry and black plum notes that waft from the glass. Full-bodied, fresh and focused, a delightful umami expression sways with notes of hung meat, spiced herbs and dark red fruit flavors before a delicate mineral tension and succulent food-friendly tannins round out the finish. Made from 100% whole-cluster fruit, the wine rested on the lees for 21 months in 40% new French oak puncheons. It should be well-received when it's released later this year. Bravo! 3,624 bottles produced.

Made from 100% whole-cluster fermented Syrah, the 2018 Syrah Klein Vineyard has a dark ruby core with a magenta rim. Aromas of dusty plum, black raspberry, spiced black cherry compote and subtle nuances of dried herbs and wilted purple flowers waft from the glass. Medium to full-bodied, the palate shows a dusty, floral essence with flavors of spiced blackberry, baked earth and dusty leather before firm tannins grip the gumline. This Syrah ends with a persistent finish with a firm tannic edge and slightly spicy aftertaste that will remain food-friendly for the next decade. The wine rested for 21 months on the lees in 50% new French oak. Just over 5,000 bottles were produced.

Seriously impressive on the nose, the 2017 Syrah Klein Vineyard bursts out of the glass with power and precision, draped in a long, velvety robe of spiced plum reduction, blackberry essence, smoked lavender and hints of dusty beef jerky with soft peppercorn spices, cinnamon, vanilla and cardamom. Full-bodied, the palate is broad and nimble, showing a depth of flavor with a continually evolving complexity that grows in amplitude as the wine opens. It has a balanced structure and firm tannins that will allow this to age for more than 10-15 years, ending with a long, drawn-out finish with flavors of black tea, tobacco and a rustic rocky essence. Wow, stellar stuff!

The 2016 Syrah Klein is a deep and bold wine with a strong core of fruit that is generous on the nose but turns slightly more tart on the palate. Full-bodied on the palate, with flavors of blackberry, black cherry and savory herbs, the wine is rich and chock-full of weighty mineral tones with spiced meat and sticky plum jus. The wine ends with a bold and impressive core that balances juicy tones with energetic tannins and acidity.

Another candidate for the wine of the vintage will be the 2014 Syrah Klein, which comes from the rocky soils of the Klein Vineyard in Walla Walla. Possessing a liquid rock like character as well as lots of gunpowder, graphite, savory herbs, olives and background meatiness, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a thick, unctuous texture, sweet tannin and terrific length. While it has tons of fruit and texture, it still has a concentrated core of fruit and serious underlying structure. It should benefit from short-term cellaring and keep for 10-15 years.