Sean P. Sullivan - Washington Wine Report Note: Site has moved to www.northwestwinereport.com

In today’s Fresh Sheet – reviews of new and recent releases – we look at wines from Owen Roe, Forgeron Cellars, Tamarack Cellars, Daven Lore, Hogue Cellars, Pour Me, Milbrandt Vineyards, Proper Wines, Woodward Canyon, and Purple Star Wines.

Owen Roe

There are a lot of exciting changes going on at Owen Roe with the winery recently moving production of its Washington wines to Yakima Valley (read a recent article on Owen Roe’s move) along with additional vineyard plantings and a new label for several of its wines. The high quality of the offerings remains the same however. The Sinister Hand in particular is one of the higher quality-to-price ratio bottles I’ve come across of late.

Sharecropper’s Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 2012 $21
 (Excellent) Thoroughly beguiling aromas of strawberry, cherry, and light mossy notes. The palate is full bodied, rich and fruit filled with a warm, lingering finish. A well-priced window into the 2012 vintage. 14.1% alcohol. Sample provided by winery.

Owen Roe ‘The Kilmore’ Pinot Noir Yamhill-Carlton 2012 $42
(Excellent/Exceptional) A moderately aromatic wine with plum and dark strawberries still on the vine. The palate is full bodied, rich and showy with great depth to the fruit flavors and a lingering finish. A thoroughly delicious wine that keeps demanding another sip. 100% Pinot Noir. 14.1% alcohol. 833 cases produced. Sample provided by winery.

Owen Roe Sinister Hand Columbia Valley 2012 $24
 (Exceptional) A moderately aromatic wine with red plums, herbs, chocolate, and clove. The palate is medium bodied, seamlessly stitched together with exquisite balance, fruit and meat flavors, and an extended finish. A high (high) quality wine to find at this tariff, equal parts feel and flavor. 70% Grenache, 16% Syrah, 9% Mourvedre, 5% Cinsault. 14.1% alcohol. Sample provided by winery.

Owen Roe Cabernet Sauvignon Yakima Valley 2011 $55
 (Excellent) An aromatically brooding wine with cassis, herbs, and bittersweet chocolate. The palate is lighter in style, understated and dialed back with soft fruit flavors and chewy tannins. Red Willow, DuBrul, Union Gap and Elerding vineyards. 14.1% alcohol. 680 cases produced. Sample provided by winery.

Owen Roe Cabernet Sauvignon Red Willow Vineyard 1973 Block Yakima Valley 2011 $72
 (Excellent) Locked up aromatically with a complex medley of high toned, sweet herbs that announces this wine as Cabernet along with earth, pink peppercorn, touches of jalapeno pepper, and dusty cherries. The palate is equal parts grace and power but with the throttle pulled back and enough tannins lay down nicely in the cellar. 14.1% alcohol. Sample provided by winery.

Owen Roe Cabernet Sauvignon DuBrul Vineyard Yakima Valley 2011 $72
 (Excellent) A lightly aromatic wine with subtle notes of cherry, slate, dry chocolate, fresh green herbs, and licorice. The palate shows impeccable restraint and balance without an ounce of excess alcoholic fat to get in the way of its supple, subtle fruit and earth flavors and brooding but still soft tannins. 13% alcohol. Sample provided by winery.


Forgeron Cellars

Forgeron Cellars commitment to its Chardonnay is evident in the vineyard sourcing for its 2012 wine, which includes grapes from eight different sites across the Columbia Valley. “We realized with the cooler 2004 vintage that we had to rely on a diversity of sources to ensure complexity and maintain consistency regardless of seasonal climate variation,” winemaker Marie-Eve Gilla said.

The latest releases also include a Boushey Vineyard-designated Merlot, the winery’s first Syrah-Grenache-Mourvedre blend, as well as a Zinfandel and Primitivo. In terms of the latter two grapes, no winery consistently does them better in the Northwest than Forgeron Cellars. While studies have found these two varieties to be genetically identical, Gilla sees them as distinct. “We find subtle differences in both the winemaking and sensory profile of this grape,” she said. “Our Primitivo tends to be a rustic and slightly more powerful version of the Zinfandel.”

Forgeron Cellars Chardonnay Columbia Valley 2012 $28
 (Excellent) An aromatically alluring wine with pear, toasty spices, peach, and touches of tropical fruit. The palate is medium bodied, rich and ripe but avoids going over the top, maintaining well balanced acidity with an open finish. 95% Chardonnay, 5% Roussanne. Crawford, Kestrel, Upland, The Benches, Weinbau, Connor Lee, Underwood Mountain and Lonesome Springs Ranch (Roussanne) vineyards. Aged in French oak (32% new). 14.1% alcohol. 1,014 cases produced. Sample provided by winery.

Forgeron Cellars Merlot Boushey Vineyard Yakima Valley 2011 $30
 (Excellent) An aromatically expressive wine with mineral, dry chocolate, dark cherries, toast, earth, and vanilla. The palate is medium bodied with tart, lively acidity, grainy tannins, and a mocha filled finish. Drinking young. Give at least two years or pair with food to help tame the acid. 100% Merlot. Aged in French (56%) and American oak (50% new). 222 cases produced. Sample provided by winery.

Forgeron Cellars GSM Red Wine Columbia Valley 2011 $30
 (Excellent/Exceptional) An aromatically appealing, complex wine with earth, white pepper, and savory spices. The palate is round and fruit-filled with red fruit and savory flavors along with a lick of acidity. 55% Syrah, 40% Grenache, and 5% Mourvedre. Boushey, Lonesome Springs, and Kiona Heart of the Hill vineyards. Aged in French (77%) and American oak (36% new). 14.3% alcohol. 214 cases produced.

Forgeron Cellars Zinfandel Columbia Valley 2011 $30
 (Excellent) A moderately aromatic wine with barrel spices, chocolate, red cherries, and abundant licorice notes. The palate is rich and full bodied with great depth to the fruit flavors but still with good acidity to balance it all out. 78% Zinfandel (Alder Ridge) and 22% Primitivo (StoneTree). Aged in French (55%) and American oak (50% new). 14.7% alcohol. 205 cases produced. Sample provided by winery.

Forgeron Cellars Primitivo Stonetree Vineyard Wahluke Slope 2011 $30
A thoroughly delicious wine that pops with dried cranberries and cherries, anise, vanilla, cocoa, pipe tobacco, and barrel spices. The palate is ripe and rounded, soft in feel. 100% Primitivo. Aged in American oak (28% new). 14.7% alcohol. 116 cases produced. (Wine Enthusiast review to be published in an upcoming issue).


Tamarack Cellars

Tamarack Cellars provides an interesting roadmap for Washington wineries with a large, readily available, recognizable brand in Firehouse Red that accounts for most of the winery’s production (they make over 16,000 cases of the wine annually). This wine, which provides consistent quality and value, essentially pays the bills and allows the winery to explore a variety of other directions. Of course, producing at that volume with that level of quality is another matter.

Tamarack Cellars Firehouse Red Red Wine Columbia Valley 2012 $18
 (Good) Barrel spices of mocha, vanilla, and spice are at the fore along with cranberry, plum, smoke, and pencil lead. The palate is medium bodied with smooth tannins and abundant plum flavors along with tart berries and bitters on the finish. 29% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Syrah, 22% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Franc, 5% Malbec, 3% Sangiovese, 2% Grenache, 2% Cinsault, 1% Petit Verdot, 1% Counoise, 1% Mourvedre, and 1% Carmenere. Aged in French, American, and Hugarian oak (40% new). 13.86% alcohol. 16,500 cases produced. Sample provided by winery.

Tamarack Cellars Sangiovese Columbia Valley 2010 $25
 (Good/Excellent) Aromatically locked up with notes of mineral, cranberry, and raspberry. The fruit is on the lighter side of medium bodied with firm, grippy tannins and tart, racy acidity. Needs time to stretch its legs. 100% Sangiovese. Candy Mountain (80%) and Blue Mountain vineyards. Aged in French oak (33% new). 14.1% alcohol. 136 cases produced. Sample provided by winery.

Tamarack Cellars Merlot Columbia Valley 2010 $28
 (Excellent) A moderately aromatic wine with cherries, dark coffee, high toned herbs and barrel spices. The palate juxtaposes lighter bodied fruit flavors with chewy tannins, tart acidity and a lingering finish. Give some additional time in the bottle to see it at its best. 88% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 5% Syrah, and 2% Cabernet Sauvignon. Tapteil, Weinbau, Ciel du Cheval, Seven Hills, Dionysus, Bacchus, and Gamache vineyards. Aged 19 months in American, French, and Hungarian oak (50% new). 14.27% alcohol. 543 cases produced. Sample provided by winery.

Tamarack Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley 2011 $36
(Good) A lightly aromatic wine with high toned notes of fresh herbs, plum, and a mixture of barrel spices. The palate is elegantly styled with a firm grip of chewy tannins. An enjoyable wine that needs some additional time in the bottle. 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot, and 8% Cabernet Franc. Bacchus, Dionysus, Weinbau, Alder Ridge, and Tapteil vineyards. Aged 24 months in French oak (65% new). 14.48% alcohol. 1,218 cases produced. Sample provided by winery.

Tamarack Cellars Syrah Columbia Valley 2011 $25
(Decent) A moderately aromatic wine with notes of copper, sage, and chocolate. The palate is medium bodied with a firm grip of tannins. 100% Syrah. Bacchus, Alder Ridge, and Destiny Ridge vineyards. Aged in Hungarian and French oak (10% new). 14.5% alcohol. 264 cases produced. Sample provided by winery.

Tamarack Cellars Sagemoor Vineyard Reserve Columbia Valley 2010 $50
(Excellent) An aromatically appealing wine with notes of cocoa powder, black currant, fresh herbs, mineral, and cherry. The palate is on the lighter side of medium bodied with firm, somewhat dry tannins and a lingering finish. Give at least two years. Sample provided by winery.


Daven Lore

Daven Lore Winery is located in Prosser. The winery was founded in 2005 and is the work of soil scientist Dr. Joan Davenport and winemaker Gordon Taylor, with parts of their last names making up the winery name. Especially considering the challenges of the vintage, these are an impressive set of wines.

Daven Lore Grenache Lonesome Spring Ranch Yakima Valley 2011 $35
 (Good) Light in color. A lightly aromatic wine with notes of sage, berry, copper, and pepper. The palate is light, elegant and transparent in style with a hyperextended finish. It doesn’t all match up in terms of the aromas and flavors but there is a lot of intrigue in this rare, vineyard-designated bottle. 95% Grenache, 4% Mourvedre (Arthur’s Vineyard), and 1% Syrah (Alder Ridge). Aged 18 months in neutral American oak. 14.5% alcohol. 75 cases produced. Sample provided by winery.

Daven Lore Aridisol Red Red Wine Columbia Valley 2011 $28
 (Good/Excellent) A moderately aromatic wine with notes of cherry, sage, freshly hewn wood, coffee, peppery spices, and vanilla. The palate dances lightly with cranberry, dark coffee, and barrel spice flavors on this well made wine. 63% Syrah, 21% Grenache, 11% Mourvedre, and 5% Durif. Alder Ridge, Lonesome Spring Ranch, and Arthur’s vineyards. Aged 17 months in American oak with French oak heads (66% new). 13.8% alcohol. 113 cases produced. Sample provided by winery.

Daven Lore Mourvedre Arthur’s Vineyard Yakima Valley 2011 $35
 (Good/Excellent) An expressive wine with abundant notes of black pepper, cumin, raw meat, vanilla, and other barrel accents. The palate is on the lighter side of medium bodied with a soft, textured feel with barrel notes taking the lead on the finish. 95% Mourvedre, 1% Durif (Zephyr Ridge), and 1% Syrah (Alder Ridge). Aged 17 months in American oak (50% new). 14.3% alcohol. 80 cases produced. Sample provided by winery.


Hogue Cellars

Hogue Cellars Merlot Columbia Valley 2012 $11
 (Decent) Though labeled as Merlot, the aromas seem to lean more toward Cabernet with notes of herbs, olive and freshly cut bell pepper. The palate is on the lighter side of medium bodied with firm tannins and abundant dark cherry flavors that linger on the finish. 91% Merlot, 4% Syrah. 13.5% alcohol. 30,000 cases produced. Sample provided by winery.

Hogue Cellars The Reserve Merlot Columbia Valley 2011 $30
 (Good) A lightly aromatic wine with notes of mint, mocha, dark raspberries, and black licorice. The palate is on the lighter side of medium bodied, elegantly styled with a wash of firm tannins and a long, persistent mocha filled finish. 96% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% other (Malbec, Petit Verdot, Chardonnay). 13.6% alcohol. 500 cases produced. Sample provided by winery.

Hogue Cellars Genesis Syrah Columbia Valley 2011 $16
 (Decent/Good) Moderately aromatic with notes of vanilla, woodspice, and cherry Leudens along with a sprinkling of herbs and licorice. The palate is elegantly styled with blocky tannins and a supple feel. 100% Syrah. Olsen, Fries, and Bouy (Snipes Mountain) vineyards. 13.5% alcohol. 3,000 cases produced. Sample provided by winery.


Onesies

Pour Me Red Wine Blend Columbia Valley NV $18
(Excellent) Lightly aromatic with notes of dried herbs, black currant, and berries on an aroma profile that smells distinctly like Cabernet Sauvignon. The palate has a soft, supple, smooth profile and is lightly styled while retaining good depth to the mocha and cherry flavors. Capped off by a finish that sticks around and weaves it all together. An elegant wine that brings a lot of enjoyment and glides along. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, and Sangiovese. Aged in French oak (40% new). 14.6% alcohol. 1,008 cases produced. NB: All fruit comes from 2010 vintage. Sample provided by winery.

Milbrandt Vineyards Traditions Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley 2011 $16
 (Good) A stylistic departure from previous vintages with the oak dialed way back. This is to this wine’s advantage. The aromas bring notes of black currant, cherry, and fresh from the garden herbs with a distinctive Washington Cabernet profile. The palate is medium bodied, supple in feel with lightly grainy tannins. A spot on wine that delivers easy drinking enjoyment at the right price. 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, and 5% Petit Verdot. Katherine Leone, Clifton Bluff, Wahluke Slope, Northridge, and Clifton vineyards. 13.5% alcohol. 16,400 cases produced. Sample provided by winery. Recommended.

Proper Stone’s Throw Syrah Walla Walla Valley 2011 $37
 (Exceptional) Less opulent aromatically than its 2010 vintage counterpart – and coming from a nearby vineyard after the winery’s property was affected by the 2010 freeze - with notes of smoked meat, crushed stone, and mineral. The palate brings a sense of seamlessness, end to end with great depth to ash, herb, smoke, and liquid rock flavors, brightening acidity, and a lingering finish. A beautiful mixture of Old World and New World styles that is absolutely dee-licious and is also one of the best values coming out of this area. 100% Syrah. 13.8% alcohol. Sample provided by winery.

Woodward Canyon Estate Dolcetto Walla Walla Valley 2012 $26
 (Good) A moderately aromatic wine with barrel notes of toast, mocha, and vanilla followed by berry. The palate is medium bodied with dark fruit, cardamom, and abundant barrel notes. 100% Dolcetto. Aged 6 months in seasoned French oak. 14.7% alcohol. 221 cases produced. Sample provided by winery.

Purple Star Syrah Columbia Valley 2011 $18
 (Good) An aromatically appealing wine – unmistakably Syrah - with dark berries, plum, char, and smoke. The palate has puckering blue fruit and floral flavors with tart acidity and tacky tannins. A young wine that is not showing its best now but has the stuffing if it comes together. Give one to two years. 100% Syrah. Weinbau (71%), Red Heaven, Olsen, and Emory vineyards. Aged 17 months in French oak (3% new). 1,036 cases produced. Sample provided by winery.

Erratum - Please note that when this Fresh Sheet was first published there was a lack of congruence between the star ratings listed and the parenthetical definitions of these star ratings for several wines. Specifically, several wines showed a four star rating () but showed a parenthetical rating of "(Good)" which would equate to three stars. Each of these wines should have been displayed as (Good). This has been fixed. My apologies for the error and any confusion it may have caused.

The magic begins notes resident Washington Wine Report photographer Richard Duval and for proof, he sent this image as April’s Pic of the Vine – a majestic view of Mt. Hood keeping watch over bud break at Cascade Cliffs along the Columbia River.

“Bud break is akin to the waving of the flag at the start of a race,” he notes. “For wine folks, bud break means the magic – and a whole lot of hard work – has started. Time for another great season.” Click on the picture for a larger image.

A round up of stories on Northwest wine from April 15th to April 21st. Read previous round-ups here.

From around the country...

The Star Democrat writes about Raymon McKee of Chateau Ste. Michelle.

Wines & Vines writes that Northwest vineyard deals reflect a rebound.


From around the blogosphere...

Hawk Wakakaka Wine Reviews talks Washington wine with Jameson Fink.

Great Northwest Wine writes that Washington vineyards get through winter unscathed. They also write that U.S. Sen. Murray bullish on Washington wine, about Duck Pond Cellars, and that 20 years later, André Tchelistcheff’s influence remains in Washington.

Wineeyak writes that Yakima Valley vineyards are in various stages of bud break.

Wild 4 Washington Wine writes about Revelry on Red Mountain.

The Zinfandel Chronicles reviews the 2012 Efeste Adrienne Chardonnay and the 2011 Efeste Emmy.

Northwest Wine Anthem writes about the Renegade Wine Company 2013 Columbia Valley Róse.

Woodinville Wine Update writes about upcoming events. Shona also writes about Lisa Baer on Happy Hour Radio.

Grape Friend writes about Washington.

Jaunted.com writes about how to check a case of Oregon wine for free on Alaska Airlines.

Table Talk Northwest does a video post on Native Sun. Jamie also talks with Charlie Hoppes.



From the locals...

The Seattle Times writes about the Ancient Lakes.

The Bellingham Herald writes that a new version of a Washington wine app is available. They also write that wines from the 2012 and 2013 vintages are shining and Snoqualmie switching to sustainable bottles and labels.

The Enumclaw Courier-Herald writes about Winerywise, an online sustainable winery practices guide. They also write that Washington has grown to more than 800 wineries.

The Yakima Herald writes that Gilbert Cellars to expand offerings with presence in West Valley. They also write about the Treveri Cellars owners attending a State Department reception.

The Oregonian writes that Willamette Valley wineries issue alert. They also write about Duck Pond Cellars new wine partnership and Yakima Valley.

The Argus Observer writes about an unreasonable ruling on wine growlers.

The News Tribune writes about Senator Murray taking a tour of the Railex center.

Wenatchee World writes about Crayelle Cellars.

The Dalles Chronicle writes about Analemma opening in Mosier (must try winery).

Good Fruit Grower writes about the sale of Sagemoor.

Capital Press writes about Milbrandt getting a new grape crushing facility.


That's all folks!

The April Virtual Tasting is tonight! The wine is the Renegade Wine Co. 2013 Columbia Valley Róse. This wine retails for $10 and is fairly widely available. The tasting will take place from 7-8pm Pacific, tonight April 24th.

What you need to do to participate is:

1. Buy this month’s wine from the winery or a local retailer (see below)

2. Tweet your comments about the wine on Twitter between 7 and 8pm Pacific on the specified date using the hashtag #renegadewine. For those on Twitter, follow me @wawinereport.

A round up of stories on Northwest wine from April 8^th to April 14^th. Read previous round-ups here.

From around the world...

The Montreal Gazette writes that Washington needn’t stand in California’s shadow.


From around the country...

The Aspen Times writes about L’Ecole Nº 41.

Skanken Daily News writes about the sale of Sagemoor Vineyards. They also write about new packaging for Snoqualmie Winery.

The St. Louis Post Dispatch writes about dry rosé for Easter.

The San Jose Mercury News writes about budget friendly wines.

Mission Valley News writes about Oregon Pinot.

Wines & Vines writes about Atlas purchasing 683 acres in Oregon.


From around the blogosphere...

Great Northwest Wine writes that climatologist points to wet, warm April for Northwest wine industry. They also write about the sale of Sagemoor Vineyards, Long Shadows Vintners new labels, Elkton’s John Bradley, and Anelare hiring a new GM.

Woodinville Wine Update writes an Oso Fundraiser. Shona also writes about Genoa Cellars.

Palate Press writes about Washington’s diversity issue. They also write about Airfield Estate.

Wineeyak asks what is bud break?

Lucha Vino pairs 2007 Robert Foley The Griffin v. 2008 Seven Hills Ciel du Cheval.

Wine Peeps writes about a challenging wine pairing.

Wild 4 Washington Wine writes about Maryhill’s 2014 summer concert series. William also writes about a #winechat tasting.

The Zinfandel Chronicles writes the Cayuse 2014 Release Party.

Northwest Wine Anthem writes about upcoming Woodinville events.

AgInfo.net writes that Clore adds a tasting room manager. They also write about wine comparison.


From the locals...

The Everett Daily Herald writes about the Great Northwest Wine competition.

The News Tribune writes about 14 Hands opening new winery in Horse Heaven Hills. They also write about Grenache, the sale of Sagemoor Vineyards and bud break.

Daily Astorian writes about Oregon Chardonnay.

The Bellingham Herald says to use caution when buying wines from the 2011 vintage.

Good Fruit Grower writes about Chardonnay’s future in Washington.

The Oregonian writes about north Willamette vintners.

The Yakima Herald writes that the region’s grape vineyards begin awakening. They also write about the sale of Sagemoor Vineyards.

The Seattle Times writes that Yakima Valley’s spring tasting celebrates wining and dining.

Capital Press writes that the drought may affect Oregon’s crops.


That's all folks!

The Walla Walla Valley wine scene has been booming since the turn of the new century, with well over 100 tasting rooms and wineries now calling the valley home. Ten years ago as the valley started to garner increasing acclaim, one of the knocks I would hear was that there were few vineyards in the area. While numerous wineries in Walla Walla are still sourcing grapes from across Washington - and many always will - the valley has seen a sharp increase in plantings in the last decade, allowing an increasing number of wineries to source valley fruit for their wines.

The Walla Walla Valley celebrated its 30^th anniversary as a federally approved growing region earlier this year. When the appellation was first approved, there were only about 60 acres of grapes planted in the valley according to the petition. By 2002, the valley had 800 acres of grape vines, increasing to 1,300 in 2011. Just three years later that number stands close to 2,000 according to the Walla Walla Wine Alliance.

Looking around the valley, this sudden increase doesn’t seem too surprising. Growers and winemakers are exploring in all directions. To the south there is the ambitious SeVein project at Seven Hills, which includes vineyards from the likes of Doubleback, JM Cellars, L’Ecole No 41, and Figgins Family Wine Estates along with a number of others. The project includes 2,700 total acres of land. The Rocks area is being aggressively planted. People are also beginning to explore the canyons and higher elevation sites of the southern area.

To the east, Charles Smith has plantings off Powerline Road. Blue Mountain Vineyard (the estate vineyard for Tranche Cellars) has substantially increased its plantings in recent years and is working with a large number of different varieties. Further east still, the Reynvaan Family Vineyards has plantings in the foothills of the Blue Mountains and now has released wines from this site. Meanwhile the Figgins family and others explore the Upper Mill Creek drainage.

A number of projects are also taking place to the north. Spring Valley Vineyard has long had plantings north of Highway 12 but has had few neighbors. In 2009, however, Precept Wines planted the 140-acre Waterbrook Estate Vineyard on land originally homesteaded by Uriah Corkrum. The vineyard had its first harvest in 2012. Others are beginning to explore this northern region of the valley as well.

Perhaps the most ambitious project in this area is Éritage Vineyards. Éritage involves planting 180 acres on 386 acres of land on the north end of the Walla Walla Valley. 30 different international investors are contributing to the project, which is located off Lower Waitsburg Road, near Bergevin Springs Road. Justin Wylie from Va Piano Vineyards (see reviews of Va Piano’s latest releases below) is spearheading the project which has a three-year build out. The initial plantings and infrastructure are well under way (follow Éritage’s development on Facebook). The plan at this early stage is to use the acreage to create one or more Walla Walla Valley-designated brands.

“I believe the north side of the Walla Walla Valley has yet to see the greatest potential for vineyard expansion,” Wylie said. “A large percentage of the Éritage property is comprised of silt-loam hilltops and ridge crests with gentle south facing slopes providing excellent cold air drainage. Because of its position in the hilly terrain north of the floor of the Walla Walla Valley, the property experiences warmer daytime low temperatures and has less diurnal variation than sites on the valley floor.” The first plantings of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Syrah will take place in spring of 2014.

Whatever ends up happening with this and other projects in the valley, it’s clear that the Walla Walla Valley is changing. It is no longer just a home for wineries and tasting rooms but is also indisputably home to numerous first class vineyards. And just as the Walla Walla Valley looks radically different now than it did ten years ago, it will also look different again ten years from now as the area’s boom continues. It will be fun to watch it all unfold.

Pictures courtesy of Éritage Vineyards.

(Below are reviews of recent releases from Va Piano Vineyards.)

Va Piano Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley 2011 $40
(Excellent) A moderately aromatic wine with black cherry, licorice, cocoa, and light herbs. The palate is somewhat elegantly styled initially but ramps up over time to reveal tart cherry flavors, chewy tannins, and mouthwatering acids. Still in its shell. Give it time. 14.2% alcohol.

Va Piano Syrah Columbia Valley 2010 $40
 (Excellent/Exceptional) An aromatic wine with abundant black licorice, cherry, milk chocolate, and cherry cola. The palate is tart, soft and textured, palate coating in feel with rich fruit, polished fruit flavors. Drinking young, give two years. 14.0% alcohol.

Va Piano ‘Black Label’ Syrah Porrteus Yakima Valley 2011 $65
(Excellent/Exceptional) A brooding, aromatically distinct wine with anise, pepper, brown spices, herbs, moist soil, and dark plum. The palate is densely flavored with a silky, polished feel and a long, lingering finish. 14.4% alcohol.

Va Piano ‘Black Label’ Syrah Les Collines Walla Walla Valley 2011 $65
(Exceptional) Aromatically locked up at present with violets, plum, huckleberry, chocolate, and a light meatiness. It’s plush, pure silk, coating the palate from end to end with elegant fruit flavors that linger on a long finish. Give three years. 14.4% alcohol.

The following article was written by Ryan Messer. Read previous articles by Messer here.

After 14 years producing wine in St. Paul, Oregon, Owen Roe has moved production of its Washington wines to Wapato in the Yakima Valley. A new production facility has been completed and is slated to open April 26^th. Production of the winery's Willamette Valley wines will continue to take place in Oregon.

Owen Roe’s new facility lies in the heart of the winery’s Union Gap Vineyard. The recently completed 6,000 square foot building is, according to winemaker and co-owner David O'Reilly, a "winemaker's winery.” O’Reilly added, "We didn't want glamour and glitz. We needed efficiency. Everything is set up for quality.” A 4,000 square foot crushpad lies on the west side of the building to assist with the winery’s 24,000 case annual production.

O'Reilly said the decision to move to the Yakima Valley was driven in part by a desire to be closer to the vineyards and to provide him and his team with greater latitude during harvest. For example, with a production facility in Washington, they can now pick outer rows at a vineyard and leave the middle rows for an additional two or three days, something that was not logistically feasible when the fruit was being transported to Oregon.

Future plans for the site include an additional 4,000 square foot tank room, an underground cave, and a tasting room. The latter is scheduled to be built in the spring of 2015. O’Reilly says that the goal of the tasting room will be, "a 2-3 hour experience, not a 45 minute tasting.”

Owen Roe also has plans to expand its Union Gap Vineyard. The vineyard was first planted in 2004 and currently has approximately 13 acres under vine, most of it planted to Bordeaux varieties. This year will see the addition of 21 acres focused largely on Rhone varieties.

The winery’s new production facility will be open to the public on Saturday, April 26^th during Wine Yakima Valley’s Spring Barrel Weekend. After that, the facility will be open by appointment.

Photo by François Dereeper, courtesy of Owen Roe. 

A round-up of stories on Washington wine from April 1^st to April 7^th. Read previous round-ups here.

From around the country...

Wines & Vines writes about Washington’s wineries coveting old vines. They also write about Aquilini purchasing 700 additional acres in the Horse Heaven Hills.

Shanken News Daily writes that V2 Wine Group takes on sales and marketing For Hedges Family Estate.

The San Francisco Examiner writes about Oregon making its mark with Pinot Noir.


From around the blogosphere...

Great Northwest Wine writes about a West Coast Cab smackdown. They also write that Walla Walla’s Saviah Cellars tops the Great Northwest Wine Competition.

Lucha Vino compares Washington Grenache v. Priorat.

Northwest Cork and Fork writes about Taste Washington 2014. They also give a Friday find from Chehalem Wines.

Write For Wine writes about Taste Washington.

Jameson Fink writes about Treveri Cellars.

Woodinville Wine Update writes about Chandler Reach’s official grand opening.

Wineeyak gives a video post on Yakima Valley, the dawn of a new wine.

The Zinfandel Chronicles writes about barrel tasting with Chris Figgins.

Table Talk Northwest writes about Butler Seattle.

Northwest Wine Anthem writes about exploring the Ancient Lakes AVA via Taste Washington.

Cornichon.org writes about the Walla Walla Valley celebrating its 30^th anniversary.

WA Wine PR writes about a ‘Metal Impressions’ photo exhibit by Richard Duval in Spokane.

Wine Peeps writes about highlights from Seattle’s Wine & Food Weekend.

Sips and the City writes about Taste Washington 2014.

The West Seattle Blog writes about Viscon Cellars opening a tasting room.


From the locals...

The Seattle Times writes that the state wine industry is making a global splash. They also write about three ways to save when buying wine.

The Statesman Journal writes that another wine giant snaps up Oregon vineyards.

The Yakima Herald writes about meeting Mike Wallace. They also write about Grenache a red wine with a bright future in Washington, an Irish-born vintner nurturins love of the land in Yakima Valley and an early Walla Walla winery key to launching state’s industry.

The Olympian writes about a Canadian company buying more land in Horse Heaven Hills.

Oregon Live writes about Mark Chien coordinating the Oregon Wine Research Institute.

The Spokeman Review says to enjoy fine, affordable Washington wine while you can.

The Kitsap Sun writes about Taste Washington.

The Tri-city Herald writes an editorial that wine tourism is a natural move for the Port of Kennewick.

The Longview Daily News writes about a new wine shop in Kalama.

Herald and News writes that an unreasonable ruling against wine growlers hurts Oregon’s economy.

Oregon Wine Press writes about Yamhill-Carlton having an AVA specific bottle design.

Capital Press writes that March’s rain and snow eased the drought in the Northwest.

The Herald writes about V2 Wine Group and Hedges Family Estate announcing a sales and marketing agreement.

KTVZ writes about Oregon lawmakers urging feds to back off on its wine growler law.


That's all folks!

The April Virtual Tasting wine is the Renegade Wine Co 2013 Columbia Valley Róse. This wine retails for $10 and is fairly widely available. The tasting will take place on Thursday April 24th from 7-8pm Pacific.

What you need to do to participate is:

1. Buy this month’s wine from the winery or a local retailer (see below)


2. Tweet your comments about the wine on Twitter between 7 and 8pm Pacific on the specified date using the hashtag #renegadewine. For those on Twitter, follow me @wawinereport.

To make it more convenient for people to purchase the wines used in our Virtual Tastings, we are teaming up with a locally run, on-line wine shop, ImpulseWine.com. Instead of having to search for the wine you can order the wine from Impulse and, if you live in the King County area, have it delivered to you free of charge. Just click the link below and select the "Free Delivery Within King County" option in the shipping portion of the checkout process. Please note that King County residents must place orders by end of day on April 20th in order to have the wine delivered in time for the tasting.

Click here to order the Renegade Róse from ImpulseWine.com

Note: Washington Wine Report does not have any financial relationship with Impulse Wine and does not receive any profits from sales.

A round up of stories on Northwest wine from March 22^nd to March 31^st. Read previous round-ups here.

From around the country...

Wine Enthusiast writes that Taste Washington offers support to mudslide victims.

The La Crosse Tribune picks the Thorny Rose Red Blend 2011 as its wine of the week.

The Greenfield Daily Reporter writes about the opening of the Walter Clore Wine & Culinary Center.

The Maryland Gazette writes about making the most of your Oregon wine trek.

Wines & Vines writes about Foley Family Wines purchasing The Four Graces.

Table Talk writes about Taste Washington survival tips.


From around the blogosphere...

Vinography writes about Taste Washington Day 1.

Great Northwest Wine writes about Taste Washington seminars. They also write that King Cab rides high in Horse Heaven Hills, Taste Washington patrons can help with mudslide disaster, the Oregon Chardonnay revival, Cathedral Ridge Winery, and Jon Bonné talking about Washington wine.

Wild 4 Washington Wine writes about a Washington Pinot Noir.

The Zinfandel Chronicles reviews the 2006 Betz Family Cabernet Sauvignon Père de Famille.

Northwest Wine Anthem writes about celebrating the generations at L'Ecole 41. They also write about tidbits from Taste Washington 2014.

WA Wine PR writes about Horse Heaven Hills vineyard land up for auction and the proposed ‘Rocks’ appellation.

Wine Peeps writes about Taste Washington.

Wineeyak writes about the unmistakable typicity of the Yakima Valley.

Write For Wine writes about Taste Washington. Margo also writes about Darighe.

Vibe.com writes about Starbucks serving beer and wine.

Woodinville Wine Update writes about upcoming events.

Seattle Refined writes about talks with Jon Bonné of the San Francisco Chronicle about Washington wine.

The Daily Meal writes about the Archery Summit Pinot Gris.

Wine Searcher.com writes about Oregon’s five Grand Cru sites of the future. They also write about Foley Family Wines purchasing The Four Graces.


From the locals...

The Press Democrat writes about Foley Family Wines purchasing The Four Graces.

425 Magazine writes about Gorman Winery.

Oregon Live writes about a French vineyard robot spending time in Oregon.

The Seattle Times writes that Washington holds its own against the big California cabernets.

The Everett Herald writes about Petite Sirah.

Seattle Metropolitan gives a Taste Washington survival guide (article by yours truly).

The Walla Walla Union Bulletin writes that Mansion Creek Cellars is taking up residence at downtown hotel. They also write about the closing of Walla Walla Village Winery.

Woodinville Weekly writes about a Reserve Night tasting.

The Tri-city Herald writes about the Walter Clore Wine & Culinary Center.

The Bellingham Herald writes about Pinot Noir worth searching for.

The Snohomish Tribune writes about Alia Wines.

The Good Fruit Grower writes that wine grape yields are not affected by early leaf removal.

The Statesman Journal writes about Oregon wine’s revamped website.


That's all folks!

Though plantings of Rhone varieties beyond Syrah remain miniscule in Washington (see chart below), there is no doubt that Rhone wines are on the rise in the state. From Grenache Blanc to Picpoul, Cinsault to Mourvèdre, winemakers and consumers alike are showing an increased interest in varieties native to France’s Rhone Valley. Moreover, these varieties are creating some of the state’s most exciting wines.

Doug McCrea of McCrea Cellars was Washington’s Rhone vanguard. McCrea moved to the state in the early 1980s and attributes his interest in Rhone-style wines to the early wines of Randall Graham as well as his upbringing. “Having been brought up in New Orleans, wine and food were inseparable,” McCrea explained.

McCrea made his first wine, a Chardonnay, at his eponymous winery in 1988. The following year he made his first Rhone-style wine, a Grenache from Don Graves Vineyard in the Columbia Gorge. Come 1990, he convinced Graves to plant an acre of Syrah. “I don’t know how much Syrah was in the state then but there wasn’t much,” McCrea said.

Indeed, just four years earlier Washington's first Syrah vines were planted at Red Willow Vineyard by Mike Sauer, with Columbia Winery's David Lake providing the inspiration. Acreage was so limited in Washington in the early nineties that it wasn’t even tracked. At first McCrea blended his Syrah with Grenache before making his first varietal bottling in 1994.

While McCrea’s initial efforts focused on fruit from the Columbia Gorge, it was his relationship with Yakima Valley grower Dick Boushey that would hasten the surge in Rhone varieties in Washington.

“I had worked at a winery over in Woodinville,” McCrea explained. “Dick would come over in his truck and a trailer and bring his grapes to French Creek Cellars. I really respected him greatly as a wine grape grower. We just sort of hit it off.”

Together McCrea and Boushey selected a site in eastern Washington that would become one of the state’s signature Syrah vineyards. “If you look at that site, you’ve got about 20 to 24 inches of topsoil,” McCrea said. “Below that is pumice-style lava. A few years in as the roots got further down, we could tell that there was something really special about that location.”

In the ensuing years McCrea convinced Boushey and Jim Holmes (Ciel du Cheval Vineyard, Red Mountain) to plant a wide assortment of other Rhone varieties, including Viognier, Grenache Blanc, Roussanne, Picpoul, and Marsanne. “It was almost like a shotgun approach,” McCrea said. This approach continued in the winery where McCrea produce a wide array of varietal bottlings and blends. “It almost got out of hand," McCrea said. "I think we were making like 12 different wines at one time."

Many years later, through the early efforts of McCrea, Boushey, Sauer, Lake, Williams and the many people who came after them - most notably Christophe Baron and Charles Smith who elevated both quality and awareness to new heights - Rhone varieties have taken off in the Northwest. Today the area is home to numerous world-class Rhone-centric producers, including Cayuse Vineyards, Gramercy Cellars, K Vintners, Maison Bleue, and Reynvaan Family Vineyards to name just a few. One of the most direct parallels to Doug McCrea’s early efforts, however, comes from Syncline Wine Cellars.

Located in the Columbia Gorge, Syncline was founded by James and Poppie Mantone in 2001 (read a previously published article about Syncline Winery in Edible Seattle). At Syncline, the Mantones work with a wide assortment of Rhone varieties, including Grenache Blanc, Picpoul, Cinsault, Counoise, Grenache, Carignan, Mourvèdre, and Syrah. Much like McCrea Cellars, many of these are produced as varietal bottlings, though Syncline makes a number of blends as well.

“The different Rhone varieties are so complementary to each other and you really understand why you grow them all and what role they play in the blend and how important they are,” James Mantone said.

Despite more than 25 years since Syrah was first planted in Washington, Mantone says that it remains early days for Rhone varieties in the state with a lot of experimentation taking place. Which variety is best suited to which particular location and what type of clones and trellising should be used? Mantone says that by and large people are still figuring that out.

“I could take Mourvèdre as a great example,” Mantone said. “The three vineyards on Red Mountain that we work with are all really close: Heart of the Hill, which is cordon trained; Force Majeure, which is head trained goblet; and Ciel du Cheval which is fan trained. They are radically different in the vineyard. They each bring in different aspects.”

Experimentation also continues in the winery where Mantone, along with a number of other Washington winemakers, is now using concrete tanks for fermentation and aging (read a good article by Full Pull's Paul Zitarelli in Seattle Magazine on the use of concrete in Washington here). “We really love the concrete,” Mantone said. “While stainless steel does a better job of capturing primary berry aromatics, the wines coming out of concrete are a little broader, more textural than stainless.”

What’s does the next 25 years look like for Rhone varieties in Washington? While Mantone said that he’s bullish on the prospects of Mourvèdre in particular, he is also excited about some of the white Rhone grapes as well.

“With Grenache Blanc and Picpoul, all of the sudden we have grapes that we can grow in fairly warm areas that hold onto their acids and deliver a crisp profile,” he said. The Syncline whites bear out Mantone’s enthusiasm and are among the more thrilling white wines I’ve sampled from Washington.

Will Washington come to be defined by its Rhone varieties in the years to come? Quite possibly, at least in part. Syrah has certainly already made a strong case as a signature variety for the state, though the abundance of varieties that excel here makes it more challenging for any one of them to gain more prominence than the others. Which of the numerous other Rhone varieties might take a place alongside Syrah as being particularly distinctive in Washington? That page of the book in Washington's wine history is currently being written.

Read a recent article on Rhone wines in Wine Enthusiast magazine that I co-authored with Paul Gregutt. You can also read an article I wrote on Rhone-style wines in the March/April issue of Edible Seattle. See a list of newsstand locations here.

Picture of Doug McCrea courtesy of McCrea Cellars. 

McCrea Cellars Roussanne Yakima Valley 2011 $25
 (Decent/Good) A moderately aromatic wine with herbs, apricot, citrus, and almond. The palate is full bodied with a creamy, rich phenolic feel with abundant lees influence. 94% Roussanne, 6% Viognier. Olsen and Ciel du Cheval vineyards. 14.1% alcohol. 100 cases produced. Sample provided by winery.

McCrea Cellars Viognier Ciel du Cheval Vineyard Red Mountain 2010 $25
 (Good) Showing some of its age with notes of dried apricot and pear. It’s full bodied with a creamy, rich feel and an extended finish. Drink now. 89% Viognier, 11% Roussanne. 14.6% alcohol. 220 cases produced. Sample provided by winery.

McCrea Cellars Grenache Blanc Boushey Vineyard Yakima Valley 2010 $25
(Good/Excellent) A moderately aromatic wine with lemon, almond, and straw showing abundant lees influence as well as a bit of age. The palate is full bodied with a creamy, phenolic feel and well balanced acidity. Doesn’t show anywhere near the alcohol listed. 86% Grenache Blanc, 14% Marsanne. 14.7% alcohol. 170 cases produced. Sample provided by winery.

McCrea Cellars Grenache Yakima Valley 2009 $28
(Good) Moderately aromatic with notes of jammy red fruit, licorice, and floral notes along with barrel spices. The palate is rich and liquorous with an almost port-like intensity to the flavors leading to a warm finish. 80% Grenache, 20% Syrah. Sugar Loaf and Boushey vineyards. Aged 40 months in five year-old French oak. 14.8% alcohol. 123 cases produced. Sample provided by winery.

McCrea Cellars Mourvèdre Yakima Valley 2009 $28
 (Excellent) Moderately aromatic with abundant barrel notes (spice box, vanilla) along with dried cherry. The palate is full bodied with rich, sweet fruit flavors. The variety seems to get somewhat lost between the warmth of the vintage and the barrel accents but, putting that aside, it remains a delicious, hedonistic style wine. 78% Mourvèdre, 22% Syrah. Ciel du Cheval, Elephant Mountain, and Boushey vineyards. Aged in French oak (10% new). 14.9% alcohol. 201 cases produced. Sample provided by winery.

McCrea Cellars Sirroco Red Wine Washington State 2006 $28
 (Good) A moderately aromatic wine that’s beginning to show its age with dried cherries and herbs along with barrel notes of vanilla, spice, and licorice. The palate is extremely rich, sweet, and concentrated, showing some warmth on the finish. A bold wine that is not for the faint of heart. 41% Mourvèdre, 36% Grenache, 13% Syrah, 5% Counoise, and 5% Cinsault. Ciel du Cheval, Boushey, and Two Coyote vineyards. Aged 16 months in French oak (25% new). 14.8% alcohol. 439 cases produced. Sample provided by winery.

McCrea Cellars Syrah ‘Amerique’ Yakima Valley 2008 $34
(Excellent/Exceptional) An aromatically rich wine with sweet barrel spices and vanilla along with smoke and blue fruit. The palate is full bodied, almost impenetrably rich in its dark fruit and savory flavors with abundant barrel accents leading to a lingering finish. 81% Syrah, 18% Mourvèdre, and 1% Grenache. Ciel du Cheval, Elephant Mountain, and Sugarloaf vineyards. Aged in one to three year old American oak. 14.8% alcohol. 267 cases produced. Sample provided by winery.

McCrea Cellars Syrah Yakima Valley 2009 $25
(Excellent) Lightly aromatic initially it opens to reveal notes of blackberry jam, pencil lead, roasted meat, herbs, and barrel spices. The palate is full throttle with rich, palate coating dark fruit flavors. A hedonistic wine that is in full bloom. Elephant Mountain, Sugarloaf, and Boushey Grand Côte vineyards. Aged 32 months in two to six year old French oak. 14.8% alcohol. 380 cases produced. Sample provided by winery.

McCrea Cellars Cuvée Orleans Syrah Yakima Valley 2008 $40
 (Exceptional) This wine has fully blossomed with notes of black licorice, chocolate, and dark cherries. It’s full bodied, power packed, with layered, dense dark fruit flavors with a supple feel. A spectacular, unapologetically full throttled wine that is in a sweet spot right now. 92% Syrah, 8% Viognier. Boushey Grand Côte, Ciel du Cheval, and Elephant Mountain vineyards. 14.6% alcohol. 163 cases produced. Sample provided by winery.

McCrea Cellars Syrah Boushey Grand Côte Vineyard Yakima Valley 2008 $36
 (Exceptional) An aromatic tour de force with bacon fat, mineral, plum, and cherry. The palate is full bodied and instantly reminds you why this producer made a name for itself and this vineyard with this variety. It’s rich and dense but never goes over the top, hanging around for a lingering finish. 100% Syrah. Aged in French oak (22% new). 14.5% alcohol. 173 cases produced. Sample provided by winery.

Syncline Picpoul Boushey Vineyard Yakima Valley 2012 $NA
 (Excellent) An aromatically fresh wine with tangerine, lemon zest, mineral, the underside of a pineapple, and assorted citrus notes. The palate is full bodied, tart and puckering with a pleasing, steely blast of acidity that carries through to a lingering finish. A thoroughly delicious, must-try wine that is an acid hound’s delight. 100% Picpoul. Fermented and aged in stainless steel. 14.4% alcohol. 102 cases produced. Sample provided by winery.

Syncline Grenache Blanc Boushey Vineyard Yakima Valley 2012 $24
 (Excellent/Exceptional) A moderately aromatic wine with an assortment of high toned herbs, citrus peel, mineral, lemon pith, crème fraîche, and a speckling of spices. The palate is medium-plus bodied with a tight zing of citric acidity and a long, lingering finish. Sample provided by winery. 100% Grenache Blanc. Fermented and aged in concrete. 14.0% alcohol. 181 cases produced.

Syncline Grenache Columbia Valley 2011 $25
 (Good) Brings a bright assortment of savory herbs (thyme, summer savory, sage) and noble fir, along with plum and raspberries in an unusual profile. The palate is medium bodied with a tart, fresh feel and lip smacking fruit flavors. Lingers on the finish. A unique, intriguing example of the variety with a bit of a disconnect between the aromas and flavors. Have it at the dinner table to see it at its best. 100% Grenache. Sugar Loaf (30%), McKinley Springs (27%), Ciel du Cheval (26%), and Alder Ridge vineyards. Aged 12 months in three to seven year old French oak. 14.4% alcohol. 250 cases produced. Sample provided by winery.

Syncline Counoise Columbia Valley 2011 $30
 (Excellent/Exceptional) Moderately aromatic with high toned herbs, light peppery spices, and plum with a real sense of freshness to the notes. The palate is very fresh in feel without an ounce of oak apparent on the flavors or feel. It’s supple, fruit filled, and flavorful – all about the fruit. 78% Counoise, 22% Syrah. McKinley Springs (61%) and Ciel du Cheval vineyards. Aged 12 months in neutral French oak. 13.9% alcohol. 210 cases produced. Sample provided by winery.

Syncline Grenache-Carignan Columbia Valley 2011 $25
(Good/Excellent) A moderately aromatic wine with notes of Dimetapp, celery stalk, wintergreen, and mineral. The palate is broad and flavorful, supple in feel with a lingering richness. Love the flavors and feel with some aromas that distract. 55% Grenache, 45% Carignan. Northridge, Alder Ridge, McKinley Springs, and Steep Creek Ranch vineyards. Aged 14 months in neutral French oak. 13.5% alcohol. 265 cases produced. Sample provided by winery.

Syncline Mourvèdre Columbia Valley 2011 $30
 (Exceptional) A brooding wine with notes of ground white pepper, citrus, mineral, herbs, and a light meatiness. The palate is wonderfully fresh and textured in feel. An outstanding example of the variety with little apparent oak influence to interfere with the directness of the fruit and savory flavors. 100% Mourvèdre. Alder Ridge (42%), Heart of the Hill (29%), Coyote Canyon (19%), and Ciel du Cheval (10%) vineyards. Aged 14 months in concrete (50%) and neutral French oak. 14.8% alcohol. 388 cases produced. Sample provided by winery.

Syncline Mourvèdre Red Mountain 2011 $45
(Excellent) More fruit driven than its Columbia Valley counterpart with freshly pitted cherries, abundant herbs that lean ever so slightly green but ultimately stay in the savory, and spice. The palate is full bodied, rich and fruit filled with abundant cherry flavors and chewy tannins. The grape’s white pepper note is surprisingly absent here. 100% Mourvèdre. Heart of the Hill (53%), Ciel du Cheval (37%), and Grand Reve (10%) vineyards. Aged 16 months in three to seven year old French oak. 14.2% alcohol. 160 cases produced. Sample provided by winery.

Syncline Syrah Boushey Vineyard Yakima Valley 2011 $35
 (Excellent) A brooding, fruit filled wine with notes of huckleberry, thyme, and blue spruce. The palate is full bodied, supple and pure in feel with tart fruit flavors and a warm finish. 100% Syrah. Fermented in concrete (50%) and open top fermenters and aged 16 months in older French oak 500-L puncheons. 14.8% alcohol. 362 cases produced. Sample provided by winery.

Syncline Syrah Ciel du Cheval Vineyard Red Mountain 2011 $50
 (Exceptional) Locked up aromatically with notes of fresh dark cherry, iron, licorice, and earth. The palate is dense and full flavored with grainy tannins and a lingering finish. 100% Syrah. Aged 16 months in three to four year old French oak. 14.3% alcohol. 145 cases produced. Sample provided by winery.

Syncline Cuvee Elena Columbia Valley 2011 $40
 (Exceptional) Draws you into the glass with garrigue, blackberry, cherry, and peppery spices on a wine that is still quite closed up at present but plays toward the savory. The fruit flavors show great richness, depth, and texture while retaining a sense of restraint with lip smacking tannins. A lights out beautiful wine that is a perfect assemblage of these varieties with an uber compelling mouthfeel. 37% Mourvèdre, 30% Syrah, 26% Grenache, 5% Carignan, and 2% Cinsault. 14.4% alcohol. 330 cases produced. Sample provided by winery.