Initially a rather subdued Frog; as if it has been tamed down. Then, suddenly, There’s a plush core of blackberry fruit, and the classic Cayuse funkiness is there, drenched in liquid rocks and cured meat and drying tannins. It’s all in proportion and a fine reflection of the steely vintage. As it opens gracefully you discover that it is a stunningly refined Frog, quite possibly the best ever; powerful and distinctive, but also elegant, feminine.
Wine Enthusiast | 100 WE
Very pure and deep, with off the charts levels of concentration and texture, the 2008 Cayuse Syrah Bionic Frog is up there with the ’07 in terms of quality. It offers up exotic, perfumed aromas of crème de cassis, smoked meat, pan drippings, chocolate, and wild herbs, with a searing level of minerality coming through with air. Full-bodied and incredibly pure and layered, with gorgeous richness and density that somehow comes across as light and deft, this knockout Syrah could still use another handful of years in the cellar, yet is approachable now, and has another 15+ years of longevity.
Jeb Dunnuck | 99 JD
I thought the 2008 Syrah Bionic Frog was insanely good. Checking in at 14.4% natural alcohol (the 2009 was 14.7 and the 2010 14.8), it has soaring notes of cassis, black raspberries, violets, white flowers, mint and olives to go with a full-bodied, ultra-pure, silky, yet concentrated and layered feel on the palate. One of the more elegant, silky and finesse driven examples of this cuvee, it has heavenly aromatics and will have upward of two decades of longevity.
Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 97 RP
(14.4% alcohol; picked on October 2 in a growing season that feature rain during the third week of September): Good medium-dark red. Wild, flamboyantly Old World aromas of raspberry, leather, game, woodsmoke, thyme and rosemary. Wonderfully plush, full wine with great mouth coverage to its flavors of black raspberry, charred oak and aged beef. Finishes with firm-edged tannins and terrific length and purity, displaying a note of lavender and a subtle, slightly cool bitterness in a positive way without losing its essential silkiness of texture. Baron noted that the vines gained hang time from the rain, and he was able to vinify with 65% whole clusters.
Vinous Media | 95 VM
This 1.8ha vineyard, whose name means ladybug, was planted in 1998. The terroir was created by a series of floods some 15,000 years ago, leaving behind basalt cobbles and boulders loaded with iron. Rain in the third week of September stopped everything, and Baron had to wait to pick. Luckily the weather turned fine and 2008 ended up, he says, a ’great vintage’. He used more than 60% whole clusters and this was the last vintage he aged Bionic Frog in barrique. There’s lots of power here but also wonderful succulence, lift and a silky texture, plus enticing gamey, smoky and leathery aromas. Drinking Window 2019 - 2025.
Decanter | 94 DEC
Silky, supple, generous and complex, with black and green olive, licorice and black tea nuances to the sweet plum and fresh currant fruit, lingering effortlessly. Drink now through 2018. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 475 cases made.
Wine Spectator | 93 WS
