K Vintners Cattle King Syrah 2018

Professional Ratings

• 96 Jeb Dunnuck
  Coming from a site on Snipes Mountain and all Syrah that wasn't destemmed, the 2018 Syrah Cattle King Upland Vineyard boasts a medium ruby, almost opaque color as well as a gorgeous perfume of framboise, mulberries, flowery incense, lavender, and herbes de Provence. It shows plenty of bacon fat and meatiness with time in the glass and is medium to full-bodied, with silky tannins, beautiful overall balance, and a great finish. This complex, Burgundian-style Syrah is going to evolve of 10-15 years.
• 95 James Suckling
  Spice, leather and some meat and dry-earth character to the strawberry and berry undertones. It’s full-to medium-bodied with polished tannin tension and a firm finish. Drink or hold.
• 94 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

  Coming from the Upland vineyard, the 2018 Syrah Cattle King underwent whole-cluster fermentation and displays a dark ruby core with a soft magenta edge. Aromas of dark red fruit tones sway out of the glass with elements of black pepper and raspberry-glazed smoked meats followed by plum blossom and purple flowers. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is nimble, focused and precise, displaying incredible complexity with flavors of blackberry compote and smoked plums followed by subtle dusty spice tones and fine-grained tannins across the mid-palate. The finish lingers with delightful, high-toned, dark red fruit notions compounded by a lovely potpourri essence. Only 5,688 bottles were produced after the wine rested for 21 months on the lees in 56% new oak puncheons. It's deliciously juicy. Bravo! Rating : 94+

• 90 Wine Spectator

  A wiry red, with tightly focused black cherry, grilled anise and smoked pepper flavors that build grip and tension toward well-buffed tannins. Best after 2024.