Jeb Dunnuck; “Brennon Leighton is one of the pillars behind the incredible quality coming from the K Vintners lineup, yet he also makes a tiny amount of wine under his own B. Leighton label. These are singular, incredibly impressive wines which are unfortunately made in just tiny quantities. Trust me, they’re well worth the effort to track down!”

Wowaweewa! Where to start with this double 96 pointer beast? Let’s rewind back to its sibling King Coal - that big, bad, powerful Cab/Syrah from Charles Smith that rocked us to our core with its power and beauty…our bodies have been CRAVING more of that. So we went back to the well and found the last FEW cases of a smoky Syrah goodness that “delivers the goods” from his sidekick Brennan Leighton. Talk about a TOTAL thriller! This stuff will put some pep in your step and some swerve in your curve, that’s for sure.

Close your eyes and this might transport you straight to Cornas. Crushed violets, graphite, black olive, sage, and smoky cured meats. A burst of ripe black plums, blueberry bramble, Turkish coffee, cardamom, and layer upon layer of intriguing complexity fade in and out. Deep, penetrating tannins with seamless integration, full and long, yet also featherlike. Wow, just wow. Stunning complexity like this calls for gamey cuts of meat. It would sing with Argentine skirt steak.

At our price, it’s a must-have and anyone who tasted the King Coal, or any of the other Wines of Substance by Charles Smith labels will be all over this. Anyone who hasn’t yet…well, we can’t click for you. But you really need to experience these wines. Just 4 barrels made by the way, so when it’s gone, IT’S GONE!

96 Points – Jeb Dunnuck

“The 2016 Syrah comes from a site in the Yakima Valley that was planted by Leighton. Its deep ruby/purple color is followed by classic Syrah notes of dark berry fruits, smoke tobacco, olive tapenade, and ground pepper. Medium to full-bodied, with both freshness and richness, it’s impeccably balanced, with beautiful fruit and a great finish. It’s another seriously good wine from Brennon that delivers the goods. Drink it over the coming 7-8 years.”

96 Points – James Suckling

“Super fragrant and attractive aromas of wild berries, spices and pepper, as well as dark stones and orange-zest nuances. This has exceptionally defined fruit and length. Really superior definition and concentration are what sets this apart. Tastes of dark cherries, blood plums and dark chocolate with a weave of fine spice and pepper. Plenty here already, but much more to come. Try from 2024.”