Syrah La Paciencia Vineyard
Produced 2008 - present
Professional reviews and tasting notes from prior vintages added as published. Scores within parentheses indicate barrel samples:
2021 No Girls Wines Syrah La Paciencia Vineyard
97 Points
Fantastic aromatics of red plums, Sichuan peppercorns, herbs, Chinese five spice and small raspberries. It’s meaty but also fruity, so fresh on the palate, medium-bodied, with fine and nervy tannins running through. About 70% whole cluster. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold.—James Suckling, jamessuckling.com
2020 No Girls Wines Syrah La Paciencia Vineyard
97 Points, Editor’s Choice
This wine is a poem to Syrah, with its earthy and savory aromatics juxtaposed with notes of sweet pea flowers, buttercups and fresh-baked blackberry scones. Raspberry, black cherry and cocoa nib flavors glide on a smooth, slick texture, with a trace of chestnut mushroom in the background. Spectacular. —Michael Alberty, Wine Enthusiast
96 Points
What a delicious interplay of fruit and salty umami character to this Syrah. Waves of blackcurrants, black cherries, wet earth, oyster shells, olive stones, rust and clay. It’s medium-bodied with tight, fine-grained tannins. Tight, yet juicy and mouthwatering. From biodynamically grown grapes. Try from 2024. —James Suckling, jamessuckling.com
96 Points
This outstanding Syrah is a truly beautiful wine from this tough vintage in the Walla Walla Valley. On the nose this takes on layers of seaweed, smoked brisket, beef drippings and iodine with shades of wild blackberry. The palate is soft and refined with a beautiful core of black fruits, alongside hints of white truffle, cran-orange and oyster sauce. Salty, savory and fully delicious, enjoy this stunning Syrah now and over the next five plus years. —Owen Bargreen, owenbargreen.com
94 points
There’s sneaky complexity to the aromas, with notes of soot, bacon fat, potpourri, mineral, crushed violet, and a kiss of tangerine peel. Somewhat subdued but still rich savory flavors follow, backed by a lightly grainy feel. Give it some additional time in bottle or decant. —Sean Sullivan, Northwest Wine Report
94 Points
Crushed ashen stones and savory herbal tones evolve into a blend of black currants, olives and exotic spice as the 2020 Syrah La Paciencia Vineyard opens in the glass. Round and supple on the palate, yet with stimulating acidity, this is built on energy and minerality. The 2020 finishes with medium length and chalk tannins as a salted licorice hint slowly fades. —Eric Guido, Vinous
2019 No Girls Wines Syrah La Paciencia Vineyard
97 Points
Darker ruby/plum-hued, the 2019 Syrah has a meaty, smoky, classic Rocks yet also reserved style in its ripe blackberry and currant fruits as well as savory herb, pepper, truffle, and leather aromas and flavors. It picks up a beautiful core of sweet fruit on the palate and is medium to full-bodied, with a seamless, incredibly polished mouthfeel, perfect balance, and a great finish. It needs 2-3 years in the cellar, but this is world class Syrah. —Jeb Dunnuck, jebdunnuck.com
97 Points
The 2019 No Girls La Paciencia Syrah is simply stunning. It is everything, and more, you would want from a Syrah. This immediately begins to impress as aromas of black raspberries and black cherries come together with a wonderful umami character of fresh mushrooms and soy, which are joined by wet stones, black olives and hints of potpourri nuances. On the palate this is medium to full-bodied and structured with silky/polished tannins resulting in a seamless delivery. It goes on to impress with its outstanding concentration and beautiful acidity which provides excellent lift as well as a remarkable sense of freshness making it impossible to resist. The finish is long and expressive, echoing notes of juicy black raspberries, umami and savory characters that linger on. This is nothing short of spectacular today and it will certainly be fun to watch this beauty evolve over the course of the next decade. —Jeremy Young, International Wine Report
96+ Points
With a brilliantly seductive nose, the 2019 Syrah la Paciencia Vineyard is initially floral with hints of smoked pork belly, lavender and dusty plum blossom. Medium to full-bodied, the Syrah bursts with power and finesse while displaying sensations of umami and subtly spiced savory herbs, dusty flowers and a delightful mineral tension. The wine continues to evolve and unpack in the mouth, revealing a gorgeously long, lingering finish. —Anthony Mueller, The Wine Advocate
96 Points
Absolutely dazzling wine, the 2019 No Girls La Paciencia Vineyard Syrah is a knockout effort from this cooler vintage. Translucent in color, this takes on soy sauce and charcuterie notes alongside white pepper dusted bacon and shades of green olives and citrus blossom on this complex nose. The soft texture and wonderful tension really drive this beautiful wine that shows a great mélange of red fruits, blood orange zest as well as salty and stony accents on the palate. Finishing very long, with plenty of mouth-watering acidity, enjoy this great wine over the next eight years. Make sure to give this an hour of air if consuming in its finesse-filled youth. Drink 2022-2030. —Owen Bargreen, owenbargreen.com
96 Points
Dried herbs and ground spice waft up, along with aromas of red and black cherries. Medium-to full-bodied with silky, smooth tannins. There is good energy here. Mineral complexity and bright red fruit are in balance, accented by ground cooking spice and dried rose. A total delight. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold. —James Suckling, jamessuckling.com
2018 No Girls Wines Syrah La Paciencia Vineyard
98 Points
The 2018 Syrah La Paciencia Vineyard is all Syrah from a single vineyard in the Rocks region of the Walla Walla Valley. Offering a Côte Rôtie-like perfume of black raspberries, blueberries, rose petals, smoked meat, and iron, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, a smoky, meaty, layered mouthfeel, ripe yet present tannins, and a great finish. Its purity of fruit is off the charts, it's perfectly balanced, and while approachable today, it will benefit from 2-4 years of bottle age and keep for 15-20 years in cold cellars. It's an incredible, singular Syrah. —Jeb Dunnuck, jebdunnuck.com
97 Points
The 2018 Syrah La Paciencia Vineyard underwent roughly 70% stem inclusion and was aged only in neutral large-format barrels prior to bottling. The nose is ridiculously complex, offering green olives, barnyard, wet stone, tangerine zest, beautiful red fruits and red floral accents that all brilliantly sing in unison. The palate is deeply concentrated with a gorgeous sense of mouthfeel and a beautiful core of dark fruits. With more air, shades of salted smoked meats, black truffle crudo and orange rind mingle together. Savory and complex, this beautiful wine is drinking marvelously even at the three-year mark and has another decade or more to go. —Owen Bargreen, Vinous
97 Points
Full-bodied and deeply structured yet light on its feet, with expressive black olive, blackberry, crushed rock and bacon fat accents that gather richness and polish toward fine-grained tannins. Drink now through 2032. —Tim Fish, Wine Spectator
96 Points
A nose with black fruit, espresso and brown tobacco. Full-bodied with chewy tannins. Racy and smoky on the palate with a nice structure. Spicy character and a savory finish. A fab syrah. Drink or hold. —James Suckling, jamessuckling.com
95 Points
The nose boasts aromas of fresh tobacco leaf, dried herbs, peat, cherry, black olive juice and crushed flowers. The flavors explode on the palate, displaying mouthcoating richness, layering and broad shoulders. A violet note lingers on the seemingly endless finish. It shows the fuller style of the vintage from this estate, hitting it far out of the park. —Sean Sullivan, Wine Enthusiast
93 Points
Displaying a soft nose, the 2018 Syrah la Paciencia Vineyard offers dusty, dark red-fruited aromas that waft with notions of dusty red flowers, cinnamon-spiced potpourri and dried lavender. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is balanced with a delightful mineral tension and flavors of smoked strawberries with red and black peppercorn essence. Finishing with a persistent flavor of dusty plum skin, the wine is nimble and food-friendly. —Anthony Mueller, The Wine Advocate
2017 No Girls Wines Syrah La Paciencia Vineyard
98 Points
…Classic Rocks Syrah with its meaty, bloody blue fruits, ground black pepper, cured meats, violets, and spring flower aromas and flavors. Beautifully textured, concentrated, medium to full-bodied, and flawlessly balanced, it’s another incredible wine from this label... —Jeb Dunnuck, jebdunnuck.com
96 Points
A firm, creamy textured wine with extremely well-integrated, almost seamless tannins that lead you down to a deep, satisfying palate. Medium to full body and round, juicy fruit. Shows smoky, meaty and earthy flavors. Persistent finish. —James Suckling, jamessuckling.com
96 Points
With a beautifully perfumed nose, the 2017 Syrah la Paciencia Vineyard could easily be mistaken for a Côte-Rôtie. Bursting from the glass, aromas of smoked cherries, black pepper and dusty rose petals grace the nose, followed by a note of dried orange peel and elements of potpourri. Medium to full-bodied, the wine embodies focus and precision, with an impeccable balance across the mid-palate that bursts with freshness of fruit and a tightly wound structure, which will allow the wine to age beautifully for a couple of decades. The wine continues to evolve on the palate with a long-lingering finish. You will want to add one of these bottles to your cellar. —Anthony Mueller, The Wine Advocate
2016 No Girls Wines Syrah La Paciencia Vineyard
97 Points
…the nose of the 2016 Syrah la Paciencia Vineyard immediately reminds me of Côte-Rôtie with the ever-present floral lift and mineral tension. The nose is silky and elegant, with a focus on quality and precision that is instantly recognizable, with hints of black truffle, orange peel and a soft smokiness to the expression. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, the wine's mineral tension evolves into a petrichor note reminiscent of the first rain of the season over sun-baked earth. The palate continues to grow with red and dark fruits that become more expressive with each passing moment. This Syrah has an extraordinary length and texture for such a graceful wine, and the aftertaste lingers for days. This is the bottling that you will want to hide away in your cellar… —Anthony Mueller, The Wine Advocate
96 Points
The 2016 Syrah La Paciencia Vineyard was fermented in concrete (60-70% stems) and brought up in used demi-muid. Blackberries, smoked earth, cured meats, violets, and orange rind notes all flow to a beautiful, seamless, thrillingly refined effort that reminds me of a top traditional Côte Rôtie. —Jeb Dunnuck, jebdunnuck.com
96 Points
This has ethereal purity and depth with very fragrant, floral and red-fruited notes on the palate. Some berry pastry and a meaty, fluid edge, too. The palate has a super fine texture with a wealth of rich red fruit. Lacy and elegant. Hauntingly long finish. Drink or hold. —James Suckling, jamessuckling.com
94 Points
Dark, bright red. Complex, highly nuanced nose offers scents of red raspberry, smoked meat, olive tapenade and red licorice; I would have guessed northern Rhône. Boasts terrific sweetness of fruit (red cherry, raspberry, boysenberry) complicated by notes of charcuterie and rose petal. Wonderfully silky, slightly high-toned Syrah with an almost Pinot-like texture, showing a near-perfect harmony between primary red fruit and savory smoked meat elements… —Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
2015 No Girls Wines Syrah La Paciencia Vineyard
98 Points
This offers attractive complexity and interest, plenty of savory spices and fresh meaty appeal. Lots of pepper and red plum fruit here. The palate has a smooth-honed, silky feel with bright, spice-wrapped red plum fruit. Long and silky, beautifully rendered syrah with lots of interest. Really focused, this is a benchmark. Drink or hold. —James Suckling, jamessuckling.com
96+ Points
...very impressive, unfurling in the glass with a wonderfully savory bouquet of tapenade, dark chocolate, bresaola, cassis, currant leaf, potpourri and mandarin oil. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, layered and complete, but it's quite serious and tight-knit despite its structural refinement and will certainly reward patience. Pure and complete, it concludes with a long, sapid finish. —William Kelley, The Wine Advocate
96 Points
...begins with intense aromas of green olive tapenade, bacon fat, Umami, and roasted Marcona almond. The aromatic range here is beyond seductive. The palate shows a wonderful elegance with red fruits and meaty as well as seaweed character with a silky mouthfeel. The salinity and freshness and mouth-watering acidity to this wine is simply outstanding. This will cellar well for a decade but I love drinking this wine young as the tension really adds to the enjoyment. Drink 2018-2028. —Dr. Owen Bargreen, Washington Wine Blog
96 Points
...blackberry, peppery meats, ground herbs, and smoke. Beautifully textured, medium to full-bodied, seamless, and with building minerality, it’s another singular wine from this estate that will continue drinking nicely for a decade. —Jeb Dunnuck, jebdunnuck.com
95 Points
Refined yet appealingly flamboyant, with vivid raspberry, olive tapenade and bacon fat flavors that build richness toward polished tannins. Drink now through 2028. —Tim Fish, Wine Spectator
2014 No Girls Wines Syrah La Paciencia Vineyard
96 Points
... vinified in concrete and aged in neutral barrels. Its deep ruby/mostly opaque color is followed by a deep, slightly closed bouquet of smoked black fruits, cured meats, black olive and violet/floral aromas and flavors....seamless and elegant on the palate, yet has plenty of authority, depth and length. —Jeb Dunnuck, The Wine Advocate
94 Points
An array of cloves and other woody spices wrapped into crushed stones and rich dark plum fruits. The palate has a sense of contained power. Really focused, smooth-honed and compact. A leading light for Walla Walla syrah. Drink or hold. —James Suckling, jamessuckling.com
92 Points
...Dark medium ruby. Tight nose offers scents of dark raspberry, violet pastille, licorice, flint and pepper. Penetrating, juicy and classically dry, conveying a strong saline character to its tight, pastille-like flavors of blackberry, violet and licorice. The tannins are firm but not hard and the finish displays excellent juicy length and floral lift... —Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
2013 No Girls Wines Syrah La Paciencia Vineyard
(93-96) Points
The 2013 Syrah La Paciencia Vineyard offers lots of cassis and black raspberries intermixed with plenty of pepper, sandalwood, toasted bread and spice. Medium to full-bodied, elegant and silky, with rock-star purity of fruit, it should rival the 2012 once bottled. —Jeb Dunnuck, The Wine Advocate
94 Points
Sleek and evocative, with expressive aromas of violet, blackberry and smoky meat and harmonious flavors of blueberry, dark Asian spice and grilled anise. Soft tannins finesse the finish. Drink now through 2024. 305 cases made. —Tim Fish, Wine Spectator
94 Points
Bright medium red. Highly perfumed scents of red raspberry, strawberry, flint, iodine and iron, plus a hint of orange peel.... compellingly aromatic and precise, offering Côte-Rôtie-like notes of flint, black olive and violet and a lightly balsamic quality. Finishes with harmonious tannins and excellent length. This is already utterly captivating. —Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
2012 No Girls Wines Syrah La Paciencia Vineyard
(95-98) Points
...a spectacular Syrah that will compete with anything coming out Washington today, the 2012 Syrah La Paciencia Vineyard is 100% Syrah and exhibits off the hook notes of violets, spiced meats, crushed rocks and ground pepper, with a core of Cornas-like purple fruit. Full-bodied, layered, beautifully concentrated and elegant, it will have 12-15 years of longevity. —Jeb Dunnuck, The Wine Advocate
96 Points
Complex and evocative plum, tar, black olive and jasmin flavors ride proudly over a refined structure that feels almost weightless. A rich wine that offers finesse and an endless finish. Taut, but ends up with an open feel. Drink now through 2022. 298 cases made. —Harvey Steiman,Wine Spectator
93 Points
Peat, flower, smoked meat and earthy funk aromas are at the fore. The flavors show a combination of richness and elegance, with smoked meat and olive brine flavors that linger. —Sean Sullivan, Wine Enthusiast
93 Points
Bright, moderately saturated medium ruby. Compelling floral lift to the aromas of dark raspberry and smoke; shows Côte-Rôtie-like finesse and perfume. Firm acidity and underlying mineral energy give lift to the wine's raspberry fruit...Finishes with notes of dusty crushed basalt and wet stone, and a subtle hint of raw meat. —Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
2011 No Girls Wines Syrah La Paciencia Vineyard
95 Points
...with the buzzwords being finesse and elegance, the 2011 Syrah La Paciencia Vineyard offers textbook pepper, olive tapenade, smoke and crunchy berry fruits in its medium to full-bodied, seamless and beautifully textured profile. Showing impressive complexity and already hard to resist, I-d lean towards drinking bottles over the coming decade as well. —Jeb Dunnuck, The Wine Advocate
94 Points
The first impression is of steak tartare, with blood and a saline, savory character. There’s a floral, violet topnote, and streaks of black olive, orange peel, umami and brine. Tight, toned and muscular, it’s set in a compact, perfectly proportioned frame that requires many hours of breathing to open fully. —Paul Gregutt, Wine Enthusiast
93 Points
Joyously aromatic and plump, with plum, black olive, tar and spice flavors, coming together harmoniously on a medium-scale frame. Persists impressively on the finish. Drink now through 2019. 199 cases made. —Harvey Steiman, Wine Spectator
92+ Points
Bright, full red. Very tight nose hints at dark raspberry, black olive and baking spices, along with a gamey nuance. Chewy and ripe but extremely backward today, in a distinctly masculine style; a bit less pliant than the Cayuse 2011 Armada Syrah, which is itself somewhat youthfully unforthcoming. Tannins are extremely fine-grained but this Syrah will need a minimum of five more years in the cellar, by which time it will likely merit a higher rating. Finishes with sexy notes of brown sugar and olive tapenade. —Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
2010 No Girls Wines Syrah La Paciencia Vineyard
95 Points
...delivers classic aromas and flavors of ground pepper, steak tartar, wild herbs and assorted dark berry-styled fruit. A 100% Syrah that comes from a high density planting located just behind Cayuse’s Armada Vineyard, it is medium to full-bodied, rich and supple on the palate, with an elegant, seamless feel that’s hard to resist. Count me as a fan and this beauty will continue to shine for upwards of another decade. Drink now-2022. —Jeb Dunnuck, The Wine Advocate
95 Points
Fresh, vibrant, expansive and expressive, this offers towering flavors of black cherry, blackberry, floral and coffee. A flick of strawberry adds freshness to the finish. Deep and harmonious. Drink now through 2020. 199 cases made. —Harvey Steiman, Wine Spectator
2009 No Girls Wines Syrah La Paciencia Vineyard
98 Points
Juicy plum, blackberry and mineral aromas and flavors leap from the glass, balancing a mass of flavor on a remarkably open texture with amazing finesse. Displays tremendous focus, depth and charm, offering hints of exotic spice and black olive. Drink now through 2025. 163 cases made. —Harvey Steiman, Wine Spectator
93 Points
...Scents of red meat, basil, hibiscus, cherry, and blueberry along with a whiff of wood smoke establish the themes for a satisfyingly juicy and expansive but in no way heavy palate presence. A bite of black pepper, invigorating crunch of berry seeds, and saliva-inducing salinity add to the fruity exuberance and savory meatiness of a memorably long, luscious finish. —David Schildknecht, The Wine Advocate
2008 No Girls Wines Syrah La Paciencia Vineyard
94 Points
The 2008 No Girls Syrah features notes of game, bacon, and blueberry leading to a plush, succulent wine with superb balance and length. To those who have been waiting patiently, don’t let this offer pass you by. —Jay Miller, The Wine Advocate