2012 No Girls Syrah La Paciencia Vineyard

(13.3% alcohol): Bright, moderately saturated medium ruby. Compelling floral lift to the aromas of dark raspberry and smoke; shows Côte-Rôtie-like finesse and perfume. Firm acidity and underlying mineral energy give lift to the wine's raspberry fruit, but the palate feel is essentially soft. The pH here is close to 4.0 but the wine's saline minerality keeps the wine alive. Finishes with notes of dusty crushed basalt and wet stone, and a subtle hint of raw meat. This singular Washington Syrah should be accessible relatively early.

Better, and a spectacular Syrah that will compete with anything coming out Washington today, the 2012 Syrah La Paciencia Vineyard is 100% Syrah and exhibits off the hook notes of violets, spiced meats, crushed rocks and ground pepper, with a core of Cornas-like purple fruit. Full-bodied, layered, beautifully concentrated and elegant, it will have 12-15 years of longevity. Distinctly different from both the Cayuse and Horsepower releases, winemaker Elizabeth Bourcier continues to fine-tune these No Girls releases and they always show a perfumed, lively style that-s hard to resist. They all come from the La Paciencia Vineyard, which is located in The Rocks around the town of Milton-Freewater, and all of the wines see only neutral oak. Tel. (509) 525-9787; nogirlswines.com