Impressive for its structure and polish, a wine that seamlessly marries Cabernet and Syrah while retaining the best of both, with blackberry, black olive, smoky cured meat and lots of cracked pepper flavors. Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. Drink now through 2030. — T.F.

The 2017 Roma comes from the River Rock Vineyard in the Rocks region of Walla Walla and checks in as 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Syrah. There are around 700 cases of this killer wine, which has a big, sappy nose of white pepper, spice box, green tobacco, and cedar pencil. It shows more and more fruit with time in the glass, is medium to full-bodied, and has a great mid-palate and ultra-fine tannins. While the Cabernet component certainly dominates, there’s plenty of Syrah pepperiness. I like it today, yet it should evolve gracefully for 10-15 years with no issues.

Bright, dark ruby-red. Dark, enticing scents of cassis, black cherry, violet, licorice and graphite minerality. Thick, deep and savory on entry, then plump and subtly sweet in the mid-palate, offering fine-grained flavors of dark raspberry, mocha and minerals. The substantial dusty tannins mellowed somewhat with aeration and are nicely supported by the wine's mid-palate material, but I'd still give this wine another year in the cellar to express itself. (the Cabernet and Syrah are co-fermented in upright oak tanks) -- Stephen Tanzer

Beginning with a lighter nose, the 2017 Roma River Rock Vineyard is a blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Syrah. The wine opens to a frame of blackberries, cassis and redcurrants over vanilla tones and sweet oak with a dusty floral essence. Medium to full-bodied, the wine is compact on the palate, displaying a balanced structure and ending with a delightful and classic finish with lingering flavors of cocoa nibs, vanilla, blackberry reduction and dried savory herbs. - AM