2015 K Vintners Royal City Syrah

One hundred percent whole cluster, the 2015 Syrah Royal City bulldozes with elegance and power that is rarely seen in top bottlings. The nose is generous with good depth and breadth of lush black fruit compote, cinnamon spice and a velvety roundness that continues with layers upon layers. Full-bodied on the palate, the wine has a seriousness that can not be denied, yet it still has a velvety richness with lifting tannins and acidity on the mid-palate. With longevity that goes on for days, this is an extraordinary wine that is silky and massive. Only 364 cases were produced.

A very fragrant nose with stony and earthy aromas, cast against espresso and blood plums with a spread of baking spices. The palate is a powerhouse with intense, all-encompassing, expansive presence. It heads right to the limit of ripeness and holds the line. Explosive, long and wild finish. A thriller! Drink this from 2025 for best results.

Another magical Syrah is the 2015 Syrah Royal City. It shows a more finesse-driven (I wrote Burgundian in my notes), ethereal style as well as a beautiful perfume of kirsch and black cherry liqueur intermixed with notes of crushed flowers, ground herbs, pepper, and dried earth. Full-bodied, seamless, and ultra-fine on the palate, it has no hard edges and flawless balance, all making for an incredibly thrilling Syrah that’s already a joy to drink. Nevertheless, this cuvée will evolve gracefully and keep for 10-15 years. This is another formidable lineup from Charles Smith and Brennon Leighton, who have recently moved their winemaking facility from Walla Walla to just outside of Seattle. All of the pure Bordeaux variety blends/releases have been moved to the Wine of Substance label (also reviewed in this report), and the K Vintners label is reserved for Rhône variety releases. By and large, these are all not destemmed and brought mostly in neutral puncheons. As I’ve said in the past, these are the real deal and are brilliant wines.