Syrah The Tribe Vineyard

Produced: 2011-present

Professional reviews and tasting notes from prior vintages added as published. Scores within parentheses indicate barrel samples:

2021 Horsepower Vineyards Syrah The Tribe Vineyard

98 Points

Heady, intense and very gratifying to savor now, this Syrah is a magical wine from this warm vintage. Once on the nose this takes on anise and dark currants alongside wet stone, salted meats, Black Forest cake, Hoisin sauce, violets and shades of Nori. The heady aromatics bring you back to the glass for more hedonistic enjoyment. The palate is plush and soft with serious weight and texture. Enjoy this wow-factor Syrah now and over the next eight plus years. —Owen Bargreen, owenbargreen.com

96 Points

Gloriously funky and earthy in aroma, this smoky, savory wine is firm in tannins that wrap around blackberry, beef tartar, floral and plummy components. Not at all heavy, it’s medium-bodied, maintaining a nervy balance that’s appetizing. From biodynamically grown grapes. Best from 2028. —James Suckling, jamessuckling.com

2020 Horsepower Vineyards Syrah The Tribe Vineyard

98 Points, Editor's Choice

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 tannins. —Michael Alberty, Wine Enthusiast

97 Points

The 2020 Syrah 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. —Eric Guido, Vinous

97 Points

Similar meaty, mineral-laced, smoky notes emerge from the 2020 Syrah, 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. —Jeb Dunnuck, jebdunnuck.com

97 Points

Another gorgeous Syrah... 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... Highly recommended. —Jeremy Young, International Wine Report

97 Points

What a complex nose of balsamic, wild raspberries, thyme, green herbs and Sichuan peppercorns here, with wet stones, too. So fresh and sleek, with a medium body and tight-grained tannins. I like the green-herb character. Alive and peppery with a long, energetic finish. From biodynamically grown grapes. So attractive already, but better from 2024. —James Suckling, jamessuckling.com

96 Points

The beautifully textured and dense 2020 Horsepower Vineyards ‘The Tribe Vineyard’ Syrah is one of the riper renditions of this wine since it was first produced back in 2011. Coming from this stony site which neighbors the En Chamberlin Vineyard, this offers suggestions of black tea, iodine, aged prosciutto, violets, wet gravel and blackberry cordial flavors on the palate, with shades of oyster sauce. Generous and ripe on the mouth, this is decadent and complex Syrah that is great to enjoy right now and over the next eight years. Drink 2022-2030. —Owen Bargreen, owenbargreen.com

95 Points

Beginning with an open-knit nose and generous expression, the 2020 Syrah The Tribe Vineyard is spicy, fruity and nutty with elements of savory herbs, stewed plum skin and notes of olive tapenade. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is spicy with umami notes that sway with spicy potpourri essences followed by notes of worn leather, iodine, baked clay, graphite and pencil shavings. The wine continues to evolve and unlock new savory expressions as it glides to a delightfully spiced and firmly mineral finish with a lingering tannic edge. —Anthony Mueller, The Wine Advocate

2019 Horsepower Vineyards Syrah The Tribe Vineyard

97 Points

The 2019 Syrah The Tribe Vineyard starts with a stemmy, fresh and savory nose with a delightful meaty aroma and dusty florals before wafting with a succulent raspberry skin essence. Medium to full-bodied, the Syrah displays a vibrant mineral tension and spicy mouthfeel before subtle flavors of dried herbs sway with a firm tannic structure. The wine continues to evolve and unpack over the long, lingering finish with a pleasing smoky nuance and persistent peppery note. Give it a few more years in the bottle before opening. Bravo! —Anthony Mueller, The Wine Advocate

96 Points

The 2019 Syrah The Tribe Vineyard is also perfumed and floral, with some pretty red and black fruits as well as white pepper, violets, orange blossom, and more subtle iron and meaty nuances that emerge with time in the glass. Gorgeous on the palate, with medium to full-bodied richness and wonderfully integrated acidity and tannins, this is a more classic Syrah that still brings subtle Rocks funk and exotic character. It will benefit from 2-4 years of bottle age and keep for 20 years as well. —Jeb Dunnuck, jebdunnuck.com

96 Points

This striking red captures your attention immediately with distinctive black olive and cured meat tones, which are accented with floral blueberry, garrigue and crushed stone flavors. Builds tension and richness toward medium-grained tannins. Drink now through 2033. —Tim Fish, Wine Spectator

96 Points

The gorgeous 2019 Syrah The Tribe Vineyard is a gorgeous effort that is already drinking beautifully in its youth. On the nose, it shows off green peppercorns and smoldering stones alongside black cherry compote and roasted dates. The balance and feeling of tension and finesse midpalate are gorgeous. The weight of the core of dark fruits plays well with white pepper, umami, orange rind and shades of red cherry candy. Gorgeous in its youth, this will cellar well over the next decade. —Owen Bargreen, vinous.com

95 Points

2018 Horsepower Vineyards Syrah The Tribe Vineyard

96+ Points

...loads of savory red and black fruits, crushed violets, cured meats, and peppery herb-like aromas and flavors, with a beautiful underpinning of iron and rocking minerality. Medium to full-bodied and beautifully balanced on the palate, with present yet ripe tannins, give this singular yet also classic, meaty Syrah 2-4 years in the cellar and enjoy over the following 10-15 years. —Jeb Dunnuck, jebdunnuck.com

96 Points

The nose shows a great core of black tea and blackberry compote with Umami and white peppercorns with smoked brisket that all take shape in the glass... Layers of black olive tapenade, pipe tobacco, black licorice, soy sauce, Nori, wet stone and shades of black truffle crudo all brilliantly combine on the palate... —Owen Bargreen, owenbargreen.com

96 Points

The aromas start out brooding, opening to reveal notes of soot, grilled asparagus, freshly mortared herbs, wet rock, orange rind and olive tapenade. Intense, palate-coating, velvety, savory flavors follow, with plentiful Kalamata olive and potpourri notes. A truly endless, palate-shaking flower- and olive-filled finish caps it off. Sit down, strap in and get ready, it's one hell of a ride. Best after 2025. —Sean Sullivan, Wine Enthusiast

95 Points

Plums, incense, smoke and spices on the nose. Medium-bodied with fine tannins. Smoky and savory with an inky note in the mouth. It remains balanced and juicy with a flavorful finish. Chewy, too, yet there’s polish and tension at the end with softness and intensity. Drink in 2023 and onwards. —James Suckling, jamessuckling.com

95 Points

The 2018 Syrah The Tribe Vineyard opens with a smoky and stemmy nose of bacon fat, black pepper, dusty plum blossom, spicy cherry compote and black raspberry skin tossed in smoked herbs. Medium to full-bodied, this Syrah reveals a firm mineral tension and drying tannins that will be food-friendly in youth or allow it to age for more than a decade. The wine ends with a firm tannic grip that lingers with a spicy and stemmy expression. Give this a year or two in the cellar before opening, and decant for at least 30 minutes before enjoying. —Anthony Mueller, The Wine Advocate

95 Points

This distinctive red is jammed with personality, yet remains refined, with deep black olive, smoked meat, river stone and floral blueberry flavors that build tension toward fine-grained tannins. Drink now through 2030. —Tim Fish, Wine Spectator

2017 Horsepower Vineyards Syrah The Tribe Vineyard

97 Points

Beautiful notes of red and black raspberries, tobacco, plum sauce, loamy earth, and loads of floral notes emerge from the 2017 Syrah The Tribe Vineyard, another tight, closed wine that’s going to benefit from bottle age. Medium to full-bodied, with notable freshness as well as plenty of underlying structure… Beautifully done and one of the standouts in the lineup… —Jeb Dunnuck, jebdunnuck.com

96 Points

Smoldering rocks and cigar box tones connect with dark plum and green peppercorns with Umami tones that all take shape in the glass. The palate is fresh, vibrant and incredibly delicious. Ripe dark fruits collide with minerals, seaweed, Spanish green olives and salted meats on the palate. The generous length and wonderful purity of fruit is impressive. Highly gratifying to enjoy in its youth, this beautiful new Syrah will enjoy another decade of life in the cellar. —Owen Bargreen, owenbargreen.com

96 Points

The 2017 Syrah The Tribe Vineyard begins with a firm, tight nose of rustic dark red fruit and soft aromas of worn leather, black spice and dust-covered violets. Medium to full-bodied, the wine is still tight in its youth, but it remains approachable and food-friendly now. The wine has a bolder mouthfeel than the rest of the range and is balanced with firm tannins that will ensure it will last for years to come. It concludes with a long, drawn-out finish with an essence of dark red fruit and a soft, lingering spiciness. —Anthony Mueller, The Wine Advocate

96 Points

Intense yet subtle aromas of dried strawberry and black peppercorns with some cloves. Tar as well. Medium to full body. The firm, silky tannins are integrated and poised, melting into the wine. Lovely now, but better in a year or two. Try after 2021. —James Suckling, jamessuckling.com

2016 Horsepower Vineyards Syrah The Tribe Vineyard

98 Points

Aromas of ash, black pepper, rock salt, black olive, wet stone, potpourri and fresh tobacco lead to outrageously expressive, savory flavors on the palate. There is intensity to the flavors, but still a profound sense of elegance and balance. The finish lingers on accents of potpourri and smoked meat. Hold until at least 2025. Cellar Selection. —Sean Sullivan, Wine Enthusiast

97+ Points

The 2016 Syrah The Tribe is largely in the same mold with a gamy, meaty, backward profile. Smoked meats, earthy dark fruits, ground pepper, and wood smoke are all present in this medium to full-bodied, concentrated Syrah that’s going to benefit from 3-5 years of bottle age and cruise for 15-20 years. —Jeb Dunnuck, jebdunnuck.com

95 Points

The 2016 Syrah The Tribe Vineyard has complex aromas of peppercorn-crusted meat, iodine and smoke along with crushed violets and a wet river rock minerality. The wine is medium to full-bodied on the palate, showing soft tones of underbrush that add to the range of the expressions on the palate, later moving to a delicate stemmy note with a flutter of Sakura. The finish is thoughtful and complete, with good focus and balance… —Anthony Mueller, The Wine Advocate

94+ Points.

2015 Horsepower Vineyards Syrah The Tribe Vineyard

98 Points

...it's the most tight-knit at this early stage, slowly unwinding in the glass with savory aromas of raw cocoa, tapenade, nori and ripe blackberries. On the palate, it's full-bodied, deep and concentrated, with a rich chassis of satiny structuring tannins and a layered, umami-laden core of fruit... it's also beautifully balanced. —William Kelley, The Wine Advocate

98 Points

This shows beautifully executed freshness and complexity with charcuterie, graphite, abundant spice and a dusting of pepper, bright berry fruits and an enchanting floral edge. The palate has light, playful tannins and is wildly charming and lacy; it offers blackberries and spiced red cherries wrapped neatly. Syrah at its ethereal best. Drink or hold. —James Suckling, jamessuckling.com

96 Points

The aromas are exultant in notes of fire pit, ham hock, green olive, mineral, peat, soot, sea breeze, steak tartare, coffee bean and potpourri. The palate is full of intensely rich yet still vibrant, savory flavors and an abundant peppery tone. The olive and fire-pit finish easily lingers for a minute, if not beyond. —Sean Sullivan, Wine Enthusiast

2014 Horsepower Vineyards Syrah The Tribe Vineyard

96+ Points

...offers more fruit (blackberry, black cherry) as well as beautiful notes of violets, rose petal, pepper and earth. Fermented with 100% whole clusters and aged in neutral puncheons, this full-bodied beauty has fine tannin, juicy acidity and a great finish. It's in direct contrast to the more masculine, meaty, umami style of the Sur Echalas Vineyard. Give it 2-3 years and it too will be long lived! —Jeb Dunnuck, The Wine Advocate

94 Points

Cassis and blue plums with a thread of wild herbs in the mix, as well as woody spices. The palate rolls out on a sappy, stalky spine that carries ripe red plums and ripe tannins, which flesh out nicely through the finish. 100% syrah. Drink or hold. —James Suckling, jamessuckling.com

93 Points

Balances power and finesse, with distinctive plum, bacon fat and black olive aromas and dense yet polished blackberry and stony mineral flavors that lead to big but refined tannins on the finish. Drink now through 2024. 520 cases made. —Tim Fish, Wine Spectator

2013 Horsepower Vineyards Syrah The Tribe Vineyard

96 Points

...slightly darker in color, with lots of gunpowder, blackberry, blueberry, smoked game and beef blood aromas and flavors. Full-bodied, yet elegant and silky, with a great finish, it's a gorgeously complex, balanced and complete Syrah….15 years or more of longevity. —Jeb Dunnuck, The Wine Advocate

95 Points

Supple, complex, open-structured and refined, with bacon and black olive overtones to the plum and currant flavors, finishing with harmony and precision. Has depth and refinement. Drink now through 2023. 470 cases made. —Harvey Steiman, Wine Spectator

2012 Horsepower Vineyards Syrah The Tribe Vineyard

97 Points

More gamy, bloody and meaty than the Sur Echalas Vineyard Syrah, the 2012 Syrah The Tribe Vineyard is a full-bodied, elegant, concentrated and structured effort that gives up complex notes of savory dark fruits, beef blood, dried herbs, pepper and olives. It's another incredible Syrah that needs short-term cellaring, but will have two decades of evolution. —Jeb Dunnuck, The Wine Advocate

95 Points

Supple and expressive, with plum and currant flavors and stony overtones combining with hints of black olive and white pepper, adding depth to a distinctive profile on a medium-weight frame that punches above its weight. The deft balance plays against nubby tannins. Drink now through 2025. 463 cases made. —Harvey Steiman, Wine Spectator

95 Points

This shows a beautiful beef and dark-fruit character with hints of sweet tobacco as well as plums and dried violet-like florals. The palate delivers impressive concentration with a wealth of blackberries and dark plums, cocoa powder and graphite. Super fresh, lithe and long. Drink or hold. —James Suckling, jamessuckling.com

2011 Horsepower Vineyards Syrah The Tribe Vineyard

98 Points

The 2011 Syrah The Tribe Vineyard, which comes from a vineyard close to the En Chamberlin Vineyard, offers a classic northern Rhone-like profile of blackberry and black currant fruits, beef blood, iron, liquid mineral and smoked meat. Full-bodied, layered, and fabulously concentrated, with considerable back-end structure, this awesome effort will drink well for over 15 years. –Jeb Dunnuck, The Wine Advocate