2018 Va Piano Vineyards Syrah Portteus Vineyard Black Label
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Tasting notes
Bursting with bright purple and dark red fruits, the 2018 Syrah Black Label Portteus Vineyard wafts from the glass with elegance and finesse and a juicy, ripe-fruited frame. Medium to full-bodied, the palate offers flavors of spiced plum reduction, black peppercorn, black raspberries and dusty florals before displaying fine-grained tannins and succulent acidity. The wine is balanced, spicy and juicy on the long, lingering finish. Only 1,320 bottles were filled.
Critic scores
Average Score
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
Another outstanding wine, the 2018 Syrah Portteus Vineyard comes from the Rattlesnake Hills and has a gorgeous purity in its black and blue fruits, cracked pepper, incense, and violet-laced aromas and flavors. I love its balance, it’s medium to full-bodied and has fine tannins as well as a terrific sense of elegance. Drink it over the coming decade as well. The quality coming from winemaker Justin Wylie over the past 4 to 5 years certainly merits special attention. These are rich, full-bodied, concentrated wines that show plenty of oak yet wonderful purity of fruit as well.
Saturated ruby to the rim. Porty, inky, slightly high-toned aromas of blackberry, kirsch and licorice pastille. Concentrated, inky, plush wine with a slight warmth to its dark berry, licorice and menthol flavors. As with its 2017 predecessor, this doesn't exactly scream out Syrah. This chunky, superripe wine finishes with reasonably smooth tannins, but I'm not sure where this will go with bottle age.