2018 Horsepower "The Tribe Vineyard" Walla Walla Valley Syrah

Horsepower specializes in powerful Northern-Rhône inspired Syrah from Christophe's single vineyards. The wines are deeply brooding, very tannic, unfined and unfiltered, and full of feral, rustic flavors more reminiscent of the inky, powerful Syrahs from legendary producers in Cornas. Water and nutrients are low, so the highly stressed vines produce very small yields, which create wines with tremendous intensity and complexity reflective of the stony soils of Walla Walla. It often takes four or more vines to make one single bottle of wine! These wines are all critically acclaimed every vintage and many of them have received 100 point scores across multiple vintages. - KELLY RAU

96 points from Sean Sullivan of Wine Enthusiast: "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."