Horsepower 2020 Syrah, The Tribe 98 Points

Jeb Dunnuck 97 Points: “Similar meaty, mineral-laced, smoky notes emerge from the 2020 Syrah The Tribe Vineyard, another classic Rocks Syrah from this team. Black cherries, mulberries, smoked earth, ground pepper, savory herbs, and tons of meaty, almost bloody notes define the aromatics, and it’s medium to full-bodied, with wonderful purity, fine tannins, and a great finish. This brilliant Syrah already offers pleasure yet will benefit from 2-4 years of bottle age and have upwards of two decades of overall longevity.”

Vinous 97 Points: “The 2020 Syrah The Tribe Vineyard lifts from the glass with a savory bouquet, mixing crushed peppercorns with grilled herbs, wet stones and currants. It’s profoundly textural and massive upon entry, with a core of vibrant acidity to balance, along with tart wild berry fruits and zesty acidity that offsets its power and intensity. The 2020 finishes remarkably fresh yet grippy, with inner violet and olive tones, as silty tannins add a pinch of cheek-puckering tension. The 2020 The Tribe mixes vibrancy and power in a way that I find wildly attractive. There is 90-100% whole-cluster fermentation, and it’s refined for fifteen months in neutral oak French demi muids and foudre.”

IWR 97 Points: “Another gorgeous Syrah from the team at Cayuse, this one is the 2020 The Horsepower Tribe Vineyard that is 100% Syrah and rests for 18 months in neutral French oak. Silky blue plum, wild huckleberry, black-peppered charcuterie, dried olives, and hints of mountain mint are all present and wonderfully combined. It’s complex and rich on the palate boasting earthy notes of iodine, iron, and yummy umami tones. A bit larger production for Horsepower, there was 642 cases produced. Highly recommended. —”

Wine Enthusiast 98 Points: “This Tribe called best Syrah is positively hunger-inducing. The wine’s medium-rare steak with herb butter aroma is joined by notes of blackberry compote and fresh-mowed hay. Pie cherry, smoky lapsang souchang tea, and bacon fat flavors continue the theme. Surprisingly electric acidity is the equal of all that fruit, along with fine-grained tannin”