100 points Jeb Dunnuck

 The 2016 Syrah Rätsel 16 showed incredibly from barrel and it certainly doesn’t disappoint from bottle. Pure perfection in Syrah, this beauty boasts a deep purple hue as well as a stacked bouquet of ripe blackberries, cured meats, scorched earth, white pepper, white chocolate, and bacon fat. Deep, full-bodied, and massively concentrated, it builds incrementally on the palate, with ultra-fine tannins, perfect balance, and a finish that won’t quit. I struggle to think of another wine that delivers this level of intensity without any sensation of weight or heaviness.  (10/2019)

99 points Wine Advocate

 Made exclusively from estate-grown fruit, the 2016 Syrah Rätsel 16 is composed of 81% Syrah, 7% Mourvèdre, 5% Petite Sirah, 2.5% Grenache and 4.5% Viognier that was fermented with 47% whole cluster. The vineyard sources are 47% Eleven Confessions, 38% The Third Twin, 13% Cumulus and 2% Molly Aida. It was aged for around 23 months in French oak, 47% new. Deep garnet-purple in color, this Syrah from the relatively effortless, beautifully harmonious 2016 vintage comes blasting from the glass with notions of baked plums, black cherries, blackberry compote, licorice, spice cake and mocha plus sparks of cedar chest, lilacs, menthol and pencil lead. Big, full-bodied and opulently fruited, the mouth is completely coated with firm, unabashedly super plush tannins and seamless freshness, finishing with bags of bright fruit and fantastic energy. If a wine can be electric, this is off the charts high-voltage! 1,791 cases and 600 magnums were produced. (LPB)  (6/2019)