Staff Notes:
"Complex and mouthwateringly savory aromas of grilled meat, black tea, bacon fat and cocoa nib mingle with fruit tones of red plum and cassis in an enticing mélange on the opening of the 2014 Syrah Armada Vineyard. It is a full-bodied, layered and satiny red with an expansive, textural attack that gives way to a deep, intense and masterfully controlled mid-palate and finish. Despite being the product of a warm vintage, the 2014 is beautifully elegant and nuanced. I think the 2014 vintage from Christophe Baron will go down as one of the truly great vintages of the estate. The wines are notably deeper, richer and more concentrated than both the 2013s and 2015s, yet they have fabulous purity and elegance. While the ship has long since sailed with regards to getting on the mailing list, these are singular wines well worth the effort to track down on the secondary market. 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." 97 William Kelley, Wine Advocate