I am guessing that was a mistake and she meant to choose 2021. I was only offered the ‘21 as a club member (Rotie) and there is no other evidence on the web that a ‘22 exists.
2014 Gamache Euclid bdx blend
Had one a month ago and it was odd so thought I should get the last one up and opened.
Just as I initially remembered, great long finish, floral and deep dark fruits.
Wish I had a few more of the 14’s. The 15’s never seemed as well rounded.
Charlie Hoppes always did such a great job for them as consulting wine maker.
I take that back. It was a ‘22 they sent me.
Rotie Cellars Love Rocks Tablas Syrah 2023:
A touch weighty for my usual preferences, but it has the complexity of something which has been resting in the cellar for 10 years, and enough acidity to keep it from being inelegant. Bacon, blueberry compote, mushroom stock, beef stew, blood sausage, green olives, bitter black coffee, and orange flavors are very extroverted in their expression. Tannins are grippy, though ultimately silky and very well integrated. Would benefit from some time sideways to lose some puppy fat, but doesn’t require it. Like this a lot.
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- 2019 W. T. Vintners Syrah Destiny Ridge Vineyard - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Horse Heaven Hills (12/21/2025)
Pretty neutral nose, and that interesting. Fortunately the palate compensates with a no frills classic WA Syrah. Pressed blackberry skins and shades of violet, very clean and good acidity. Reminds me of a workman like Crozes. Very good price from the Full Pull Redacted offer of $14 was solid buy. (89 points)
Posted from CellarTracker
- 2012 Cadence Ciel du Cheval Vineyard - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Red Mountain (12/21/2025)
P&P. A real Lazarus performance as the nose was rather advanced, but thankfully but right sized after about 30 minutes of air. Dark plums and baking chocolate, fully integrated and mature. I’m a little surprised as i thought this would have made its 20th birthday - I wouldn’t push it more than a couple of years if this bottle is representative. Come to think of it, aging Cadence Ciel has been a mixed bag for me while the Bel Canto and the Cara Mia Cab have always been great - irrespective of bottle age. (92 points)
Posted from CellarTracker
2013 Proper Syrah
“Hello, Is there anybody in there?”
First taste - pretty close to nothing going on one way or another.
With plenty of air and time a hint of boysenberry shows up, a touch of savory. More time turns the smidge of fruit liquorish, eventually landing on some muted brown sugar notes (not sweetness).
“You’re over the hill right now, and looking for love.”
Probably could cook with this, but might still need additional acidity.
Probably should have begun the previous post with this: A recent cellar re org found some buried proper wines- I think one off full pull purchases way back in the day.
Given the rigor mortis of the 2013, why not
go right after the 2014.
“I’ve seen better days” is the theme song tonight. Not as dead as the 13, but barely clinging to life. No evolution just a 90% muted version compared to release. Echos of sappy black/blue fruit, savory olive notes. A bit heavy feeling- needs more acidity.
If you buy proper wines, I’d caution about having high hopes for any improvement with age.
reminds me of the problems I’ve had with Mark Ryan’s wines. They also show best on release - or at least did. Quit drinking them almost a decade ago now. Maybe others have better, more recent experience?
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Scott,
I had the same experience except the wines were only 2-3 years after vintage. There was initial buzz about the winery and how good their Syrah was so I dipped in for three bottles of the 2012, figuring the supposed Washington vintage of the century would lend to a great bottle. Was significantly underwhelmed on all three bottles and experienced the same nothingness you did. Was totally bummed but not all flyers you take hit! Glad you were able to clear out some cellar space at least 
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Blown away by this ‘23 Rotie Love Rocks 470. It’s a big, rich, silky, and intense wine that fills every crevice of the mouth. Luscious blackberry flavor on entry gives was to a nuanced savory character full of meaty, salty, smokey, and gravelly notes. The richness is cut by a surprising spine of acidity, which the ‘22 was lacking, and the result is a wine with elegance to match the concentration. The finish is long and peppery with a black olive note which lingers.
Every element of this wine is in perfect harmony,; it’s not burdened by weight, heavy oak or overripeness. This is a Goldilocks example of Rocks District Syrah. Sadly my only bottle. Going to open the Tablas again tonight for a more direct comparison; I found that one less elegant in this vintage, which was the opposite of ‘22, and feel like I need to taste it again.
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Bottles of WA wines consumed by my wife and me during 2025:
Kobayashi - 9
Corliss - 3
Figgins - 4
Quilceda Creek - 1
Long Shadows - 16
Avennia - 21
Liminal - 7
Result of a Crush - 4
Cadence - 10
The Walls - 12
Pursued by Bear - 3
From the Sky Down - 1
Piolet - 3
Force Majeure - 15
Cayuse - 1
Devison - 1
Betz - 4
Gramercy Cellars - 1
WeatherEye - 3
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As a big fan of Washington wines, I have to say that you had an extremely good year of wine drinking! Please tell what really stood out in this incredible lineup.
Gun to my head: Kobayashi, Figgins, Liminal, From the Sky Down, WeatherEye.
Oooh, now I want to see what we consumed in 2025 (data from CellarTracker).
Rotie Cellars - 25
Sleight of Hand - 24
Time & Direction - 21
Prospice - 18
Kevin White - 13
Proper - 10
Grosgrain - 9
L’Ecole, Gramercy - 5
Latta, Devium, Orr - 4
Kerloo, Gifford Hirlinger, Cayuse, Abeja, Seven Hills - 3
Kinhaven, Hoquetus, Dominio IV, Brook & Bull, Smoky Rose, Mongata, Mercer - 1
Doesn’t count the dozens of bottles of Ocelli we opened. So, on average, a bottle of WA wine every 2.25 days.
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2019 MTR Productions Syrah Memory Found - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley (2/6/2026)
Dark red. Lots of Syrah funk and dark fruit in this one, bits of black pepper, distant bonfire and thyme. Delicious peppery black fruit, broth and smoked meat flavours. The finish is rich but balanced.
I hadn’t had a Washington Syrah in a while. This one reminded me of what I was missing. (93 points)
Posted from CellarTracker
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We love you John! 
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+ a few others not already mentioned (for me, 2025), in alphabetical order, not tracking numbers of btls consumed:
- COR
- Devona
- Dowsett
- Elentone
- Hors Categorie
- Pollard
- Syncline
- WT Vintners
A few comments: COR ‘Alba’ is one of my buy-it-every-year favorites; Devona’s Cabernets are flying under the radar and stand shoulder-to-shoulder with other outstanding WA Cabs twice their price; Dowsett Celilo Vineyard is my benchmark WA Gewruztraminer; Elentone is a WA/West Coast sparkling wine rising star; Hors Categorie is simply above-and-beyond; Pollard is the hands-down winner for WA red wine quality/price; Syncline is my benchmark for WA rose, and their ‘Scintillation’ sparkling wine is sensational; WT Vintners is clean, pure, and super-solid across the entire line-up.
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had the 2022 Kobayashi Nikko sparkling last night. excellent!
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I wholeheartedly concur!
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I’ve got @jbray23 coming over for dinner on Friday (god help him, he’s a pescatarian) and I’ll likely open a bottle of this, as well. Had the 23 a few weeks back and it is fantastic… and has a crazy golden color! Looking forward to trying the final bottle!
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