A step up in terms of complexity, depth and richness, the 2011 Syrah Lagniappe is Greg’s cooler climate focused Syrah. Coming from the Red Willow, Olsen and SJR Vineyards and fermented with 50% whole cluster, it offers a brilliantly complex bouquet of violets, peppered steak, blackberry, stem and exotic spices along with a medium to full-bodied, focused and balanced mouthfeel. Really stretching out on the finish, it’s an overall classy, elegant Syrah that will age gracefully for 12-15 years. Drink 2016-2026. These top-notch efforts are made by Greg Harrington, with help from assistant winemaker Brandon Moss, and always show the fresher, more edgy and lean side to the region. Normally fermented with varying degrees of whole cluster and aged in neutral oak, they have Old World, classical profiles and will benefit from short-term cellaring. While I’ve been drinking the Rhone blends from this estate for years, this was the first time I’ve been able to taste Greg’s Bordeaux releases. The house style certainly persists and the wines all show firm, concentrated and age-worthy profiles. From a much warmer vintage, Harrington’s 2009s are more voluptuous and textured than the 2010s, yet still play in the same classically styled ball park of the estate. While more approachable today, I think they will have a similar, if not broader, drink window than the 2010s. Time will tell but at the moment, I generally like the 2009s more due to their fruit, yet I still think the tannin quality in the 2010s is better.www.gramercycellars.com

An outstanding and uniquely styled Syrah. The mix of tart fruits, peppers, herbs, earth and forest floor flavors is riveting. The wine dances and bows, it takes you on a leaping trip through a world of Syrah rarely found anywhere else, buoyed by the brilliant natural acidity of Washington fruit.——P.G.(9/1/2011)—— 93