The deep purple coloring instantly lures while generous aromatics of hibiscus, forest and summer berries rise from the glass. There is a bright palate with some tartness on the front, complemented by expressive layers of dark plum, vanilla bean and cocoa nibs with a hint of wet stone towards the finish.
"The 2019 Syrah Walla Walla Valley smolders up with a dark and intense burst of crushed cloves and dried black cherries complicated by olive and balsamic tones. This is silky-smooth, nearly creamy in feel, with juicy acidity that enlivens its tart wild berry fruits. Sage and burnt orange linger throughout the long and only lightly structured finale. There’s no reason to wait, as the 2019 is holding nothing back. - Eric Guido "
- Antonio Galloni's Vinous (August 2023), 92 pts
"(from the estate's Mill Creek Upland vineyard): Bright full ruby. Lively butt but subdued scents of cassis, blackberry, minerals, brown spices, violet and licorice; showing a distinctly dark side of Syrah. Intensely flavored, firm and juicy; not a particularly fleshy or pliant style but offers lovely inner-mouth violet lift and a dense weave to the flavors of dark berries and minerals. This serious Syrah boasts a firm spine of acids and tannins and finishes with sneaky persistence. Dry, laid-back and rather classic wine, in need of time in bottle to expand and gain in complexity. (14.7% alcohol) - Stephen Tanzer"
- Antonio Galloni's Vinous (November 2018), 92 pts
"Dark and smoky, with a lithe core of plum and spice emerging from under a layer of grippy tannins. The finish persists with insistence and intensity. Best after 2017. 182 cases made.- HS"
- Wine Spectator (October 15th 2015), 91 pts
"Aged in French oak, 30% new. Deep, saturated ruby. Wild, musky aromas of black raspberry, gunflint, spices and violet. Plush, tactile and sweet, offering surprising lift and definition to the flavors of dark raspberry, blackberry, smoked meat and violet face powder. Very expressive, fine-grained Syrah with subtle intensity and a lingering, ripely tannic finish. - Stephen Tanzer"
- Vinous (November 2015), 91 pts
"Taut and firmly tannic, with a juice core of plum and spice flavors, picking up tapenade hints and gaining momentum on the expressive finish. Best from 2016 through 2020 - HS"
- Wine Spectator (October 15th 2014), 93 pts
The word Abeja (Spanish for ‘bee’) is a beautifully simple term to describe one of nature’s hardest workers of the land. Abeja Winery owner Ken Harrison and wife Ginger chose ...
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