Tony Aspler, Syrah 2021 , (93 points): Deep purple colour; peppery, blackberry nose with oak spice and vanilla notes; full-bodied, great energy, fresh and lively, firmly structured and well-integrated oak. Savoury, blackberry and olive flavours. Cornas-style. A remarkable debut! (Tasted March 2024)
Rick VanSickle, Wines in Niagara, Syrah 2021 (94 points): This brilliant Syrah was wild fermented and sent to multi-use French oak barrels for 17 months of aging. Watch for the 2022 vintage and going forward, a little Viognier will be blended. The barrel sample of the blend I tasted gets a lovely floral lift for added dimension and complexity. The 2021 Syrah shows a dense red velvet colour in the glass and has a meaty nose of dark berries, wild black raspberries, anise, black and red peppercorns, cedar plank and savoury spice notes. Such a beautiful Syrah on the palate, with concentrated blackberries, black currants, sour cherries, roasted meats, umami, generous pepper, anise, grippy tannins and structure all leading to a juicy, long, vibrant finish. “It’s a very cool wine from a difficult vintage,” notes McLean. If you want some of this, and you do, act fast … only two barrels were made (47 cases). Can cellar to 2030. (Tasted May 2024)
David Lawrason, Wine Align, 2021 Syrah (88 points): This is a lighter weight syrah from fairly young vines in a cooler year. All of which is to explain that it doesn't have the heft and depth you may expect of syrah. It is pretty however with sweet cherry fruit, some florality and very fine spice - both pepper from the grape and brown spice from ageing in French oak. It is light to medium bodied, juicy and a touch sour-edged, with good to very good length. (Tasted May 2024)
Michael Godel, Wine Align, 2021 Syrah: 90 points The double B Syrah comes from young double L vines grown close to Beamsville in a veritable varietal hot spot within the broad swath that is the
Lincoln Lakeshore, This is where the flats are just a step up from the lake on the northern side of the highway produce high quality Syrah. The feeling here reminds of and shares an affinity with examples drawn from Keczan Vineyard though this is noted to be more linear and vertical as an example. It’s quite pretty actually as well and while vertical it’s also elastic. A pliable Syrah is a good kind and this 2021 delivers plenty of varietal but also amenable style. Drink 2024-2027. Tasted May 2024. Value Rating: 4-stars
