2016 Sleight of Hand Cellars Syrah Ziggy Stardust Block Spider Mars
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Tasting notes
With a red and black-fruited core, the 2016 Syrah The Spiders from Mars has a focused nose of sweet tobacco, smoked savory meat and dusted violets. The flavors burst with freshness on the medium to full-bodied palate, showing the 100% whole-cluster fruit expression and subsequent carbonic lift that turns to firm tannins on the mid-palate. The wine ends with black spice and juicy blackberries on the a long, taut, focused finish that is thoughtful and brings pleasure to the drinker. Only 150 cases were made.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jeb Dunnuck
Anthony Mueller, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
Coming from the new estate vineyard on the north fork of the Walla Walla river, the 2016 Syrah Spiders From Mars was only 15% destemmed and saw 20 months in neutral oak. Hitting just 12.5% alcohol, it has a beautiful bouquet of dark fruits, smoked earth, black pepper, and crushed rocks. Medium to full-bodied, fresh, and elegant, with terrific purity, it shines for its complexity, balance, purity, and length. The style at Sleight of Hand, under the guidance of Trey Busch, Jerry Solomon, and Keith Johnson, has changed dramatically over the past 4-5 years and the wines show more finesse, elegance, and purity today, without sacrificing on fruit or texture. These are brilliant wines, and I certainly include this estate in the top handful of estates in Washington today. Unfortunately, the top cuvees are made in tiny quantities.