Last Wednesday, October 20, Lynn and I hosted a tasting of Syrahs from the North Rhône Valley (Côte Rôtie, Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage, Saint Joseph and Cornas) and from the Washington and Oregon sides of the Walla Walla Valley plus one each from Red Mountain and the Yakima Valley, providing a cross section of wines for comparison. Here are my notes and scores.

2019 Saviah Cellars "The Stones Speak" Estate Syrah, Walla Walla Valley - This came on as a typical young Syrah from the "Rocks." Deep purplish colored, it emitted rich aromas of blackberry, blueberry, black currant, crushed roses, lavender, olive and spiced incense. It should age beautifully. 19+/20 points.

2016 Cayuse Syrah, Walla Walla Valley, En Cerise Vineyard - This is a typical Cayuse Syrah from the Rocks. It showed an medium garnet color and rich, earthy aromas of raspberry, blueberry, currant and incense and fleshy flavors that were rounding out and leading into a gamy, earthy mouthfeel and a lengthy finish. 19.5/20 points. 

2015 Côtes de Ciel Syrah, Red Mountain, Ciel du Cheval Vineyard - This is a distinctive Syrah from a prestigious vineyard, planted in the 1980's. It showed a rich, smoky nose and considerable old vine character, dusty Red Mountain earth and and a chewy texture followed by a maturing finish. 19/20 points.

2015 No Girls Syrah, Walla Walla Valley, La Paciencia Vineyard - This was strikingly Côte Rotie like, with a maturing ruby color and rich, smoky aromas and supple, yet vigorous flavors that showed the distinctive Rocks cobblestone and dust, followed by a lingering herb and spice dusted smooth tannin finish. 19+/20 points.

2013 Rôtie Cellars Syrah, Walla Walla Valley - Co-fermeted with 5% Viognier, this emulates a Côte Rotie. It showed a garnet color and rich, smoky aromas of semi-dried dark fruits and developing flavors of ripe fruits, orange peel, and earth. On the back the wine rounded out with roasted fruits and nuts on a savory finish. 19/20 points.

2013 Owen-Roe Syrah, Yakima Valley, Red Willow Vineyard, Chapel Block - From the first vineyard to be planted with Syrah in 1983, this was outstanding. It showed a deep color and rich, smoky aromas and spices, with notes of bacon and nuts. The flavors were rounding out beautifully, leading into a long i=finish. 19+/20 points.

2011 Reynvaan Family Vineyards Foothills Reserve Syrah, Walla Walla Valley - From the Estate Vineyard in the foothills of the Blue Mountains, this showed smoky, exotic perfumes and firm, classic Syrah flavored, marked by silty minerals and roasted fruits and nuts and a long firm finish.19/20 points.

2018 Paul Jaboulet Crozes-Hermitage, Domaine de Thalabert - This comes from one of the top properties just north of Hermitage. It showed a ruby-crimson color and rich aromas of dark fruits, lavender and incense with direct, pure Syrah flavors and a lasting finish. 19/20 points.

2017 Barruol-Lynch Côte-Rotie, "La Boisselée" - Deep ruby colored, this possessed a perfumed nose of wild fruits, lavender, violets and orange peel. The flavors were chewy textured with a long, complex finish, marked by distinct "Roasted Slope" character. 19.5/20 points.

2015 Yves Cuilleron Saint-Joseph, "Cavanos" - From south of Côte Rotie, this displayed a deep ruby-garnet color and rich, smoky aromas of dark fruits, orange peel, lavender and incense. The flavors were full, round and well developed, with a long chewy textured finish. 19+/20 points.

2015 Jean-Luc Colombo Cornas "Terres Brulées" - A top notch Cornas. It showed a deep ruby color and intense aromas of dark fruits, lavender and violets, with mouth-filling, authoritative flavors and a long, maturing, complex finish. 19.5/20 points.

2015 Delas Hermitage, "Domaine des Tourettes" - This is Hermitage Syrah at its best. It possessed a deep ruby color and a brooding nose of dark fruits, lavender, violets, smoked meats and incense. The flavors were fill and authoritative with minerals earth and a long, firm finish. 19.5/20 points.