Tasted as a barrel sample, like the rest of the lineup, the 2021 La C?te Patriarche shows generous oak tones with succulent spices and fresh black cherries with spicy and nasty plums. Full-bodied and generously layered, the palate offers fine-grained tannins and dark fruit skin with a ripe condition of fruit and a fine mineral essence that lingers through the succulent and floral-laced finish. Bravo!

The 2019 La C?te Patriarche displays a deep magenta core with an electric pink rim and ofers firm, dusty black-fruited nuances, elegant baking spices and an undercurrent of red and purple flowers that waft from the glass. Medium to full-bodied, the Syrah displays a subtly spiced palate with succulent, fine-grained tannins that guide the wine, with a firm, slightly rustic mouthfeel that will remain food-friendly for more than a decade. The wine continues to evolve for moments in the mouth, lingering with a sensation of bitter dark chocolate and black plum skin. Coming from the Red Willow vineyard, the Syrah rested 16 months in all French oak—60% new—before being bottled. Just give it an additional year in the bottle before consuming.

Made from 100% Syrah grown at Red Willow vineyard, the 2018 La C?te Patriarche is opaque in the glass with aromas of blackberry and a dusty, rocky expression covered by black pepper aromas. Full-bodied, the wine is dense with tannins that grip the palate and firm up on the gumline. Flavors of dark cherry skin flutter in as the wine concludes with a large frame, without being overly inky. This is a big wine for the people who enjoy a big, bold, generous Syrah. Made with 80% whole clusters, the wine spent 14 months in 50% new oak. Only 3,000 bottles were produced. Yum!

Beginning with notes of coffee and black pepper, the 2017 La C?te Patriarche has aromas of seductive black cherry, blackberry and baked clay. On the palate, the wine has a lush richness about it, with black pepper, cherry skin and a dusty minerality. Full-bodied on the palate, the focus is still slightly rigid, revealing a classically structured and spicy Syrah. The wine ends with balance and finesse on the long and thought-provoking finish. Only 250 cases were made.

The 2016 La C?te Patriarche is very promising indeed, offering up complex aromas of crunchy cassis, violets and pungent black pepper. On the palate, it's medium to full-bodied, leading with a lavish attack that gives way to a layered, vibrant mid-palate with a deep core of crunchy fruit and bright balancing acids. The finish is long and beautifully defined. This contains the fruit of vines planted in 1986, some of the oldest Syrah in Washington.