James Suckling: 96, Vinous: 97
"The quintessential Royal City. Dark and complex. Black cherry, black currant, black coffee. Cardamom and wet rock. Subtly layered with velvet tension. Thyme, anise, cured meats, and black tea complete things." —winemaker
Price: $183.69
$142.59
"The 2019 Syrah Royal City is earthy, almost meaty in the glass, as notes of sage and dill accentuate green olive, then evolves to show musky black currants and crushed rocks. This is texturally thrilling, deep and creamy in feel, yet somehow energetic as well, with masses of mineral-tinged black fruits complemented by sweet herbs and tobacco. The 2019 melts away from the palate like molten chocolate, with exotic spices and tangerine to balance. Wow, I can't wait to see what another four to five years of cellaring might reveal here." —Vinous
"Lovely, leafy aromas of fresh garden herbs, drying tobacco leaf, bay leaf, grilled plum and baked strawberry. Medium-to full-bodied with fine, slightly tense tannins. An array of juicy red and black fruit and berries on the palate. Almost some white tea notes come through, such as lavender and chamomile. Focused and long. Best after 2025." —James Suckling
