Cayuse Armada Syrah 2017

Professional Ratings

• 97 Jeb Dunnuck

  The Armada Vineyard Syrah always reminds me of the Horsepower releases, as it’s a more masculine, earthy style of Syrah. Deep plum/purple-colored with an incredible bouquet of smoked plum, blackcurrants, tobacco, peppered meat, and violets, the 2017 hits the palate with full-bodied richness and depth, building structure and tannins, moderate acidity, and a great finish. It’s another wine from Baron that packs incredible richness and depth yet still just glides across the palate with no sensation of weight or heaviness. It shows the more rounded, approachable style of the vintage and will keep for 20 years or more.

  Rating: 97+

• 97 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

  The 2017 Syrah Armada Vineyard bursts out of the glass with complex and expressive aromas of blackberry, black tea, savory and umami tones of crushed black pepper, grilled meat and dried lilac and lavender. Medium to full-bodied, the wine is elegant and seamless on the palate, unfolding beautifully with precision and intention, offering up instant gratification in youth. The wine unfolds its wings across the mid-palate and takes flight, leading to the elongated and continually evolving finish, which grows in complexity and amplitude in the mouth. The 2017 is more approachable in youth than the 2016 vintage of the same bottling. If you enjoy wines in their youth, this vintage is a no-brainer.

• 95 James Suckling

  A soft, savory syrah with dried-strawberry, light chocolate-powder and walnut character. Medium to full body, round and soft tannins and a delicious finish. Rich, but not overwhelming.

• 94 Wine Spectator

  Alluring for its layered texture and distinctive black olive, stony mineral and white pepper aromas that lead to tightly focused raspberry and blueberry flavors. Drink now through 2030.

• 93 Wine Enthusiast

  Outrageous, perfumed aromas of Stargazer lily, ember, chopped parsley, cherry pit, moist earth after a rain, orange peel and savory herb lead to elegant, snappy, fresh fruit flavors that show intensity. The balance is beautiful. A 30-second flower-filled finish caps it off. Classic Cayuse.