Hors Categorie Syrah 2018

$349.95

14.50% /

750ml /

Vintage: 2018

WS 95
WE 98
WA 97
JD 98
JS 97
OB 100
VIN 100

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Winery: Hors Categorie
Varietal: Syrah
Winemaker: Christophe Baron
Wine Style: Red Wine - Bold and Structured
Wine Country Of Origin: United States
State / Province: Washington
Sub Region / AVA: Walla Walla Valley

Brand: Hors Categorie

Wine Description

Crafting the remarkable Hors Categorie Syrah 2018 under the skilled guidance of winemakerChristophe Baronhas achieved a pinnacle of Syrah expression. Translating to a place of its own, this wine sources from a two-acre plot nestled at 1,400 feet altitude, home to 11-year-old Syrah vines.

Its deep garnet color invites exploration. On the nose, an intense aromatic dance unfolds. Green peppercorns, iron, and bull’s blood intermingle with hints of orange rind and black currant, evoking the spirit of Cote-Rotie. The palate captivates with an impeccable balance, displaying a dense core of blackberry compote and crame de violette. Saline-drenched orange notes entwined with stony undertones, reminiscent of the terroir’s origins.

Critics showered this vintage with accolades, bestowing it with 100 points. Owen Bargreen of Vinous praises its youthful exuberance and predicts another decade of cellar potential. Jeb Dunnuck’s 98+ points review lauds the savory symphony, likening it to the Cote Brune side of Cote Rotie, and applauds the wine’s distinctive style and impeccable balance.

Structured and intense, this wine’s explosive palate reveals layers of smoked blackcurrants, cured meats, and violets, much to the acclaim of Sean Sullivan and Anthony Mueller, who also praise its structure and compelling finish. James Suckling’s admiration for the intense, savory nose and silky tannins further underscores the wine’s complexity.

Reviews (6)

6 reviews for Hors Categorie Syrah 2018

Rated 4 out of 5

WS – March 23, 2023

Distinctive and dynamic, this Syrah overflows with blueberry, blackberry and smoked meat flavors accented by black olive and licorice. Builds toward savory tannins. Drink now through 2031.
Rated 4 out of 5

WE – March 23, 2023

In just a few short years, this wine has distinguished itself as one of the very best in the world. The only wine coming from this site in the North Fork area of the valley and harvested at barely a ton per acre on slopes that go up to 60% grade, the aromas rise from the glass, with notes of sea breeze, firepit, medicine, olive and fresh herb. It explodes on the palate with intense, rich savory flavors with crushed flowers on the finish. As always, beyond the intensity, it is the structure that truly separates this wine. The finish also refuses to quit. It a wine that grabs you, shakes you and refuses to let go.
Rated 4 out of 5

WA – March 23, 2023

Another impressive bottling for Hors Catégorie, the 2018 Syrah opens with a seductive and aromatic nose filled with smoked lavender, black raspberry skin, umami, hung meats, black olive, red and black peppercorn and spiced plum reduction. Medium to full-bodied, it explodes on the palate, revealing a generous profile with complexity, elegance and finesse. Flavors of turned earth, smoked cherry pie filling, spicy potpourri and worn leather sway across the mid-palate with impeccable balance that will remain a champion for almost two decades. The wine ends with a long, winding, expressive and complex finish that has me coming back for second and third helpings. This comes from a steep vineyard planted on a 60° slope that has been farmed with a biodynamic approach since its inception. Bravo, I want more! If you are lucky enough to find some of this wine, buy it!
JD – March 23, 2023

As always, the 2018 Syrah turns the savory dial up to 11, offering an incredible array of smoked blackcurrants, blueberries, cured meats, shiitake mushroom, violets, and ground pepper-like aromas and flavors. Coming from two steep hillsides of broken basalt off the north fork of the Walla Walla River, I’ve often compared this cuvée to a wine from the Côte Brune side of Côte Rôtie, and that still holds, yet this certainly has its own style. Medium to full-bodied, pure, and layered on the palate, it has gorgeous tannins, flawless balance, and a great finish. There’s nothing else in the world like it. Give bottles 2-4 years and enjoy over the following 15+.
Rated 4 out of 5

JS – March 23, 2023

This has an intense, savory nose of barbecued meat, tar, grilled mushroom, dried herbs, burnt orange and black fruit. It’s full-bodied with sleek, velvety tannins. Very silky and seamless. Smoky, spicy layers with bitter-herb and saline undertones on the long, flavorful finish. Some tobacco and iodine.
VIN – March 23, 2023

Literally translated as ‘a place of its own,’ the 2018 Syrah from Hors Catégorie was sourced from a two-acre plot at 1,400 feet of densely planted 11 years old Syrah vines. Aromatically quite intense, it shows a very Côte-Rôtie nose as green peppercorns, iron, bull’s blood, orange rind and black currant scents all take shape in the glass. The palate displays incredible balance and minerality, offering a dense core of blackberry compote, crème de violette, saline-drenched orange, and stony undertones. Glorious in its fresh youth, this has another decade or more to go in the cellar. It’s the finest edition of this wine that I have tasted so far. Tasted twice with similar results.

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Critical Acclaim

WS 95

Wine Spectator

Distinctive and dynamic, this Syrah overflows with blueberry, blackberry and smoked meat flavors accented by black olive and licorice. Builds toward savory tannins. Drink now through 2031.

WE 98

Wine Enthusiast

In just a few short years, this wine has distinguished itself as one of the very best in the world. The only wine coming from this site in the North Fork area of the valley and harvested at barely a ton per acre on slopes that go up to 60% grade, the aromas rise from the glass, with notes of sea breeze, firepit, medicine, olive and fresh herb. It explodes on the palate with intense, rich savory flavors with crushed flowers on the finish. As always, beyond the intensity, it is the structure that truly separates this wine. The finish also refuses to quit. It a wine that grabs you, shakes you and refuses to let go.

WA 97

Wine Advocate

Another impressive bottling for Hors Catégorie, the 2018 Syrah opens with a seductive and aromatic nose filled with smoked lavender, black raspberry skin, umami, hung meats, black olive, red and black peppercorn and spiced plum reduction. Medium to full-bodied, it explodes on the palate, revealing a generous profile with complexity, elegance and finesse. Flavors of turned earth, smoked cherry pie filling, spicy potpourri and worn leather sway across the mid-palate with impeccable balance that will remain a champion for almost two decades. The wine ends with a long, winding, expressive and complex finish that has me coming back for second and third helpings. This comes from a steep vineyard planted on a 60° slope that has been farmed with a biodynamic approach since its inception. Bravo, I want more! If you are lucky enough to find some of this wine, buy it!

JD 98

Jeb Dunnuck

As always, the 2018 Syrah turns the savory dial up to 11, offering an incredible array of smoked blackcurrants, blueberries, cured meats, shiitake mushroom, violets, and ground pepper-like aromas and flavors. Coming from two steep hillsides of broken basalt off the north fork of the Walla Walla River, I've often compared this cuvée to a wine from the Côte Brune side of Côte Rôtie, and that still holds, yet this certainly has its own style. Medium to full-bodied, pure, and layered on the palate, it has gorgeous tannins, flawless balance, and a great finish. There's nothing else in the world like it. Give bottles 2-4 years and enjoy over the following 15+.

JS 97

James Suckling

This has an intense, savory nose of barbecued meat, tar, grilled mushroom, dried herbs, burnt orange and black fruit. It’s full-bodied with sleek, velvety tannins. Very silky and seamless. Smoky, spicy layers with bitter-herb and saline undertones on the long, flavorful finish. Some tobacco and iodine.

OB 100

Owen Bargreen

Literally translated as 'a place of its own,' the 2018 Syrah from Hors Catégorie was sourced from a two-acre plot at 1,400 feet of densely planted 11 years old Syrah vines. Aromatically quite intense, it shows a very Côte-Rôtie nose as green peppercorns, iron, bull’s blood, orange rind and black currant scents all take shape in the glass. The palate displays incredible balance and minerality, offering a dense core of blackberry compote, crème de violette, saline-drenched orange, and stony undertones. Glorious in its fresh youth, this has another decade or more to go in the cellar. It’s the finest edition of this wine that I have tasted so far. Tasted twice with similar results.

VIN 100

Vinous