february 25, 2017
Que Syrah, Syrah
California Syrah vs.Washington Syrah
1. 2012 Terre Rouge Syrah Fiddletown DTR Ranch California
This is a big, flavorful wine, luscious in aroma, flavor and texture from the first whiffs of spicy oak and funky earth through saturated blackberry and clove flavors. The texture is both velvety and almost stiff at the same time. Rated 94 Wine Enthusiast Magazine
2. 2012 Gramercy Cellars Syrah Lagniappe Columbia Valley Washington State
Blended from Red Willow, Marcoux and Oldfield vineyards, this 100% Syrah offers aromas of green olives, brown stems, dried herbs and raspberries. The palate has densely rich yet exceptionally well balanced fruit and savory flavors that are creamy in feel. It's flat-out stunning, winning on grace and elegance rather than sheer power alone. Rated 95 Wine Enthusiast Magazine
3. 2013 Limerick Lane Syrah-Grenache Russian River Valley California
Made from 70% Syrah and 30% Grenache, this deceptively restrained wine shows a silkiness of texture wrapped around a brightness of soft, red berry and earth, managing to stay juicy and refreshing in the glass. Leather and black pepper play on the palate as it winds down. Rated 95 Wine Enthusiast Magazine
4. 2010 Kontos Syrah Walla Walla Valley Washington State
Though not indicated on the bottle, this is entirely sourced from the Les Collines vineyard. There is a talented hand at work here, in the way the components knit together, crafting a seamless, complete wine with levels of intense, dark, chewy fruit and tannins. The finish is dense and long, and the wine shows far more depth than many of its 2010 peers. Rated 91 Wine Enthusiast Magazine
5. 2013 Melville Syrah Sta. Rita Hills California
Another wine that represents one of the top values around, the 2013 Syrah Estate offers incredible notes of liquid smoke, ground pepper, olive tapenade and tons of black fruits. Medium to full-bodied, ripe, textured and concentrated, it sill has remarkable purity and precision. Coming from the Sta. Rita Hills and aged 10 months in neutral oak, it's a gorgeous wine that readers shouldn't miss. Rated 93 The Wine Advocate
6. 2009 L'Ecole Syrah No. 41 Columbia Valley Washington State
Polished, lively and appealing, with floral and black olive nuances around a taut core of blackberry and spice flavors. Finishes with finesse. Drink now through 2017. Rated 91 Wine Spectator
7. 2009 Tulocay Syrah Haynes Vineyard Napa Valley California
Garnet purple color. Aromas of stewed berries, Greek yogurt, and char-roasted nuts with a silky, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a tangy, blackberry, cream, peppery spice and cedar finish with powdery tannins. Serve with roasted pork loins. Rated 88 Tastings.com
Inky dark, still restrained, this Syrah has years to go before it reaches its peak. To drink now, give it plenty of air before pouring. Decanting is suggested, since it has lots of "stuff" in it. Definitely a wine for the future. Winery
8. 2009 Duece Cellars Syrah Walla Walla Valley Washington State
Our newly released Deuce Cellars is a big, bold, and beautifully concentrated Syrah. We produce approximately 300 cases annually. Deuce Cellars Syrah was born and made in Walla Walla, Washington. Moonlight Vineyard’s river rock soil provides most of the fruit for this limited production, hand made wine. We ferment whole berries in open bin fermenters and go straight to barrel. Our Syrah is aged 20-36 months in New Missouri Oak with a medium toast. worldclasswinesoregon.com