Cayuse Bionic Frog Syrah 2018

Professional Ratings

• 100 Jeb Dunnuck

  The 2018 Syrah Bionic Frog comes from the Coccinelle Vineyard in the Rocks district of Milton-Freewater. It’s always one of the richest, most concentrated Syrahs in the lineup, yet it doesn't give an inch with regard to elegance and purity. The 2018 was aged mostly in demi-muids (there's often a portion aged in foudre) and hit 14.4% natural alcohol. This deeper ruby/purple-hued beauty offers a gorgeous bouquet of black raspberries, redcurrants, tapenade, bacon fat, and wood smoke, with a touch of reductive scorched earth and graphite nuances. This carries to a full-bodied Syrah with ultra-fine yet building tannins, a layered, deep, textured mouthfeel, and flawless overall balance. It's another magical, incredibly pure Syrah from the genius of Baron that will benefit from just 2-3 years of bottle age and keep for over two decades.

• 98 James Suckling

  Beautiful aromas of raspberries, spiced plums, dried violets, tobacco, smoked meat, herbs and balsamic. It’s full-bodied and so supple with melting tannins. Wonderful texture with a round, rich and savory finish. Drink or hold.

• 98 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

  Beginning with a brilliant and seductively aromatic nose, the 2018 Syrah Bionic Frog rockets out of the glass with a stunning array of juicy fruit tones, baked earth and a dusty, floral sensation with intoxicating elements of smoked beef and black pepper. Medium to full-bodied, the Syrah summersaults across the palate with excitement and finesse, offering up spicy flavors of black raspberry compote, spiced chutney, hints of olive tapenade and a lively mineral tension. It offers pristine tannins and a succulent mouthfeel that lavishly lays on the mid-palate. Concluding with a long, winding and ever-evolving finish, the 2018 is flirting with triple digits. The wine rested for 19 months in a mix of French demi-muids and foudre, 20% new. Outstanding!

• 95 Wine Spectator

  Not a Syrah for slackers, this bold, polished and distinctive, with decadent black raspberry, orange zest and black olive flavors that build richness on the savory finish. Drink now through 2031.