I continue
my celebration of red wines crafted from the Rhone varieties Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre,
Cinsault and others. In the Pacific Northwest, our mild summer has yielded to a
cool fall, enticing wine lovers to reach for hearty reds that accompany the
meaty, flavorful meals of the season. I begin with some southern Rhone blend
selections and move to northern Rhone (Syrah) wines at the end of the column.
Southern Rhone Blends
Columbia Winery 2016 Vision Red Blend, Horse Heaven Hills – $45
This is
actually more of a Northern Rhone blend with a larger percentage of Syrah than
the other varieties. (64% Syrah, 25% Mourvedre, 11% Grenache) My tasters found
it the most complex and interesting wine in the flight showing ripe plum,
cranberry and cherry fruit with spice and soft tannins. Columbiawinery.com
Rocky Pond Winery 2017 Stratastone GSM Blend, Columbia Valley - $35
This unique
blend comes from Rocky Pond Winery’s estate vineyards near Lake Chelan in
Washington’s Columbia Valley appellation. The wine offers cherry and plum
aromas and flavors and expands upon aeration to include notes of floral,
mineral and smoky meat notes – very tasty with meats from the grill. Rockypondwinery.com
Andrew Januik 2016 Los Molinos, Columbia Valley - $60
The son of a world-renowned
winemaker (Mike Januik), Andrew Januik was born with winemaking in his blood
and the proof is in the pressing. Every single one of the wines that Andrew has
made since starting his eponymous label in 2011 have all been rated above 90
points. His Los Molinos (the olive mill) GSM blend shows somewhat of the
influence of his father with layers of complex fruit and distinct notes of
spicy oak and caramel. Noveltyhilljanuik.com
Kendall Jackson 2016 GSM, Grand Reserve, Santa Barbara County - $35
It’s
nice to see more California wineries adding Rhone blends to their offerings.
This flavorful Grand Reserve offers red currant and mixed wild cherry flavors
with background notes of chocolate and cedar box. Aging in French oak and pre-fermentation
cold-soak adds layers of complexity adds complexity and hints of vanilla and
caramel.
Andre Brunel 2016 Cotes du Rhone, France - $14
This tasty
Rhone blend features 70% Grenache with 20% Cinsault and 10% Syrah. The grapes
are harvested from properties on different sides of the Rhone River – each
offering different terroir and contributing different styles to the wine. Look
for aromas and flavors of dark plum and earthy mineral with notes of violets
and spice.
Syrah and
Shiraz
‘The Jack 2017 Syrah, Columbia Valley - $18
Rich Funk of
Saviah Cellars says of The Jack series of wines, “they are the best bet for
high value and exceptional quality. My tasters agree! Saviah has offered
several varieties of The Jack for almost a decade and they are among the very
best Northwest wines for the money. Look for aromatic cherry and raspberry with
notes of floral perfume, toasty oak and mineral – great with rich meats and
hearty sauces.Saviahcellars.com
Penfold’s 2016 Kalimna Bin 28 Shiraz, South Australia - $30
“Bin 28
offers a showcase of warm climate Australian Shiraz – ripe, robust and
generously flavoured.” I have been a fan of this bottling for years, enjoying
it with hearty meat dishes and as a pairing to dark chocolate when the occasion
arises. Aromas of ripe blackberry dance among olives, tobacco and mineral
leading to rich flavors of dark fruits, tar and caramel-vanilla. Penfolds.com
L’Ecole No 41 2016 Syrah, Seven Hills Vineyard - $37
This special
wine from the Walla Walla Valley comes from the most widely esteemed vineyard
in the AVA and demonstrates why Seven Hills has gained its reputation. I joined
other Seattle wine writers with the vineyard owners in the mid-1980s for a
show-and-tell of the vineyard’s attributes at the first harvest. My tasters
enjoyed the classic Syrah character of mineral, smoky game and earthy tar over
layers of blueberry, plum and hints of floral perfume. Lecole.com
Three Rivers Winery 2016 Syrah, Walla Walla Valley - $42
Winemaker
Holly Turner crafted this rich and rustic Syrah from grapes grown in the Walla
Walla Valley, mostly at Minnick Hills Vineyard north Walla Walla. Aging in
French oak – 50% new – added character and toasty nuances with hints of caramel
and vanilla. Aromas and flavors of dark
fruits, smoked meats and dusty herbs create a perfect wine to pair with your
fall meats from the grill. Threeriverswinery.com
Copain Winery 2016 Syrah, Tous Ensemble, Mendocino - $24
Iconic
Copain Winery overlooks the bucolic Russian River Valley in California,
crafting Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Syrah.
Their Tous Ensemble (all together) wines are approachable, casual and
ready to drink. The Syrah from select cool climate vineyards in Mendocino
County offers raspberry, blackberry and spice with notes of pencil lead, toast
and soft tannins.
DeLille Cellars 2016 Signature Syrah, Yakima Valley - $44
This wine
came from the much-heralded Boushey Vineyard in Washington’s Yakima Valley.
This site is
known for world-class Syrah that brings fame to the region. My tasters noted
deep aromas and flavors of dark fruits, spicy pepper, violets and smoked
meats. Additional complexity includes
cigar wrapper, savory olive and balancing acidity. Delillecellars.com
Rose
Prima Pink 2018 Rosé, Washington
Greg
Osenbach of Whidbey Island Winery crafts this savory rosé for his friend Sieb
Jurriaans for his Prima Bistro in nearby downtown Langley. The wine is a natural for the French-inspired
Northwest bistro fare at this popular local restaurant. The pale orange-pink
color leads to aromas and flavors of melon, light strawberry, savory herbs and
refreshing citrus and mineral.
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