99+ Points. From the highest density vineyard planted under the Cayuse label, the 489-case 2014 Syrah Armada Vineyard is about as umami and earthy as it gets. Smoke, fireplace, mushroom, black cherry, currants and olive notes all emerge from this rich, backward, tight and structured Syrah that has incredible purity of fruit, a saline/bloody, meaty character that develops with time in the glass, and tons of tannic bite on the finish. Forget this incredible wine for 4-5 years and enjoy over the following two decades. —Jeb Dunnuck, The Wine Advocate
97 Points. Complex and mouthwateringly savory aromas of grilled meat, black tea, bacon fat and cocoa nib mingle with fruit tones of red plum and cassis in an enticing mélange on the opening of the 2014 Syrah Armada Vineyard. It is a full-bodied, layered and satiny red with an expansive, textural attack that gives way to a deep, intense and masterfully controlled mid-palate and finish. Despite being the product of a warm vintage, the 2014 is beautifully elegant and nuanced. —William Kelley, The Wine Advocate
94+ Points. Bright ruby-red. Explosive aromas of black raspberry, cranberry and clove are lifted by notes of violet and licorice and complemented by smoky rocky minerality. Tight, intense and gripping, conveying lovely inner-mouth definition and a distinctly primary character to its dark fruit flavors. Beautifully integrated acidity here; Baron notes that the inner-mouth tension of this wine may be due to more shading between the rows owing to the dense planting. Lovely juicy, imploded wine with firm but utterly fine-grained tannins and a long, rising finish featuring chewy notes of pomegranate, smoke and salt. A beauty. —Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
