98+
Matthew Luczy - Robert Parkers The Wine Advocate
Retasting the 2023 Syrah The Great Places Otto Reynard Stolpman as a finished wine only solidified my impressions from last year before its bottling, and if anything, I may have been a touch conservative in my range. As I wrote last year, it originates from a west-facing section of stake-trained vines propagated from pre-clonal cuttings of Domaine Auguste Clape's parcel in Reynard, specifically a parcel dating back to 1903. The most floral and perfumed of the series, it opens with a gorgeous nose of lavender and violet aromas grounded by black and blue fruits with dusty, spice-driven flourishes. On the palate, it is seamless, dense and concentrated while exuding a palpable sense of authenticity that feels tailored and guided rather than forced into its robust frame. It finishes with a quick punch of velvety, tannic intensity before recoiling with youthful tension. Even with a relatively short time in the glass, this wine unlocks dynamically, the finish eventually displaying a classy decadence through an upright, unwavering posture. The combination of unbridled power, papal finesse and refined structure is even more harmonious and impactful than I recall, resulting in a profoundly complex and sophisticated expression of Syrah.
98 James Suckling - Jamessuckling.com
Vivid, rich black fruit dominates this full-bodied, sleek and finely tannic wine. Black pepper, wood smoke, star anise and violet accents kick in as you sip. Great structure, a linear feel and wild, diverse flavors make it something special. Drinkable now, but best from 2029.
96 Vanessa Rason - Decanter Magazine
Stolpman wines are stylistically distinct, offering primarily full-bodied expressions of classic Rhône wines with serious ageing potential. Stolpman Estate Otto Syrah is brimming with ripe fruit and savoury spice. Flavours of blueberry bramble, baked pie crust, and black peppercorn-encrusted filet mignon give this wine a sense of rustic luxury reminiscent of Cornas, blended with the coastal simplicity of Santa Barbara. A hearty tannin backbone carries through the length of the finish and beyond.