96 points and 'Top 100 Wine of 2012 (#68),' Wine Enthusiast: "This winery gives its wines extra years in bottle prior to release, and it pays off with powerful, muscular, densely structured that have been polished to a fine luster. This Syrah emphasizes fruit, not funk, with opulent flavors of black fruit, dried cherry, fig and plum. The 30 months it spent in two-thirds new French oak adds dark streaks of coffee and cocoa. It shows tremendous depth, and it could be cellared for another few years--but why wait? Alcohol 15.4%. 313 cases produced. (Dec 2012)"

94 points Rhone Report: "Coming all from the Stillwater Vineyard that's located on the Royal Slope in the Columbia Valley, the 2007 Corliss Estates Syrah is a ripe, layered wine that was aged in 65% new French oak for a total of 30 months. It offers up aromas of vanilla-laced black fruits, baking spices, roasted meats, truffle, flowers, and creamy licorice that flow to a decidedly rich, borderline decadent Syrah that has a stacked mid-palate, layers of fruit and texture, and a beautifully fresh, clean finish. It's certainly big and rich, but it.s oh so well done and stays remarkable light on the palate for a wine of this size. It's superb now, and I see no reason to hold off; it should drink well through 2020. (Jun 2012)"

93 points Stephen Tanzer (International Wine Cellar): "(blended with 2% roussanne; aged 32 months in 63% new French oak) Bright, full ruby-red. Blackberry, black cherry, pepper and licorice on the nose, with a distinctly wild quality and a hint of white fruits; more Old World in style than the 2006 version, which included 17% grenache. Juicy, penetrating and precise, with lovely floral lift to the dark berry and pepper flavors. This boasts terrific cut and life, as well as a serious tannic spine for aging. Finishes long and perfumed. (Nov/Dec 2010)"

Producer notes: "The 2007Corliss Syrah shows of aromas of black fig, plum, tar and cassis on the nose with underlying exotic spices, dried cherry, violet and jasmine. A soft entry to the palate immediately leads to density and opulence with juicy black fruit flavors, dried cherry and rhubarb, plum and cocoa. Fine, mouth-filling tannins continually build, drawing out the palate to a long, lingering finish. Barrel aged 30 months in 100% French oak (65% new). Alcohol 15.4%. 313 cases produced."