Rhys Syrah Santa Cruz Mountains Horseshoe Vineyards 2011

95+ points John Gilman (View From the Cellar): "The 2011 Horseshoe Vineyard Syrah is a beautifully transparent and refined wine, offering up striking purity with its 12.9 percent alcohol format. The bouquet offers up a precise and complex constellation of cassis, black raspberries, black olive, fresh herb tones, a superb base of dark soil, grilled meats, chocolate and a bit of cedary wood. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and very soil-driven, with superb mid-palate intensity, tangy acids, moderate tannins and excellent focus and grip on the long, pure and very well-balanced finish. This is a tour de force example of Santa Cruz Mountain syrah. 2019-2040. (Jul/Aug 2014)"

94 points Josh Raynolds (International Wine Cellar): "Inky ruby. Heady cherry compote, blackberry, olive and cola scents are sharpened by cracked pepper and minerals. Stains the palate with sweet dark fruit and floral pastille flavors, showing uncommon density and power for the vintage while remaining fresh and energetic. Bitter cherry and spicecake qualities carry through the finish, which is firmed by dusty, building tannins and juicy acidity. (May/Jun 2014)"

93 points Jeb Dunnuck (Wine Advocate): "A step back from the bigger, richer 2012, the 2011 Syrah Horseshoe Vineyard has classic Cote Rotie-like notes of pepper, green olive tapenade, smoked meats and sweet currant and blackberry-style fruits. Medium to full-bodied, layered and seamless, with juicy, tangy acidity, it has solid mid-palate concentration, loads of charm, and enough depth and richness to evolve gracefully. (4/29/15)"