2018 Va Piano Vineyards Syrah Stoney Vine Vineyard Black Label
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Tasting notes
Dark and spicy in the glass, the 2018 Syrah Black Label Stoney Vine Vineyard offers up slightly stewed elements of plums, blackberry and dark cherry with an undercurrent of rawhide, wilted lavender and roasted coffee. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has plenty of fruit but leaves me wanting more freshness and energizing acidity to frame the mid-palate before ending with a dense, chewy and slightly raisined finish. Only 1,284 bottles were produced.
Critic scores
Average Score
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
A meaty, nutty, peppery, beefy wine, the 2018 Syrah Stoney Vine Vineyard (100% Rocks Syrah) is full-bodied and has a round, mouth-filling texture, savory tannins, and a great finish. It’s about as funky and wild as they come, and I expect it won’t be for everyone. Nevertheless, I think it’s a beautiful Syrah that will keep for 5-7 years. 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.
Ruby-red. Intriguing if rather extreme scents of dark raspberry, bacon fat and pickled olive with pimento. Similarly quite olive-briney on the palate, which is concentrated and distinctly salty in a classic Rocks way. Less gamey than the 2017 version but perhaps more exaggerated, showing a seamless texture but a slicker mouth feel. Finishes with very smooth tannins. A distinctly wild style best suited for experienced fans of The Rocks. But the pH of 3.85 is not particularly elevated for Syrah from this area. I raised my score a point when extended aeration brought more balancing fruit. But don't bury this feral child too deep in your cellar.