Checking in as 82% Syrah, 6.7% Mourvèdre, and the rest Petite Sirah and Grenache, the 2018 Syrah Ziehharmonika was largely destemmed and brought up in 51% new French oak. Gorgeous crème de cassis, smoked game, bacon fat, and spring flower notes all soar from the glass of this beauty, and it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, ripe, building tannins, and a rare mix of richness and freshness.  (8/2021)

 Medium to deep garnet-purple colored—WOW—perfumed black and blue fruits prance out of the glass, revealing accents of candied violets and cinnamon stick, supporting the plum preserves, blackberry compote and garrigue-scented core, plus hints of molten dark chocolate, licorice, Chinese five spice and bacon with a touch of iron ore. The densely laden, full-bodied palate is seriously showy, featuring flamboyant black fruit preserves and exotic spice layers with a solid backbone of ripe, rounded tannins and bold freshness, finishing with epic length and loads of earth, pepper and floral fireworks. (LPB)  (8/2021)

 The 2018 Syrah Ziehharmonika is every bit as captivating from bottle as it was in barrel. In this tasting, the Ziehharmonika stands out for its soaring aromatic complexity and character. Black pepper, lavender, mint, spice and blueberry add a striking upper register of aromatics. Vivid and wonderfully deep, the 2018 is going to need a number of years to come into its own. What a wine! (AG)  (10/2021)