Columbia Valley Syrah

Big red fruit, black pepper and smoke/meat...this was my favorite...

Eucalyptus, spearmint and black cherry flavors, rounded mouthfeel. Decant one hour.

The nose is brooding as the glass even approaches. Ruby, ripe; dark currants/cassis, blackberries, an array of purple fruits, blueberries, creamy raspberries, baked, dark cherries and plum. Mid intensity grilled meats, smoke, cracked pepper, blue/purple fruit cola, black licorice, nice, soft, dark spice, crushed rocks, moist clay, vanilla, understated dry herbs, blue, purple flowers and gently layered lavender.

The body is full, thick, lush and ruby. The mouthfeel is gorgeous/sexy. It just starting to drink softer, showing good integration with another 10 plus years of good drinking ahead. This style, structure, tension, length & balance is why I love well made Syrahs from Walla Walla. Ruby, ripe; dark currants/cassis, blackberries, an array of purple fruits, blueberries, creamy raspberries, baked, dark cherries and plum. Mid intensity grilled meats, smoke, cracked pepper, blue/purple fruit cola, black licorice, caramel, mocha powder, milk chocolate, nice, soft, dark spice that brings heat to the palate, notes of cinnamon, crushed rocks, moist clay, vanilla, understated dry herbs, dark, rich, turned earth, even show a touch graphite, used tobacco with ash, blue, purple flowers and gently layered lavender. The acidity is round and nicely done. The lush, rich, ripe, well balanced, finish glides beautifully & juicy over the palate while it persists minutes.

Photos of; side shot of the tasting room that looks like an 1800’s saloon from the outside, the lounge area of their tasting room, Greg Karrington’s Co-Owner and Co-Winemakers Master Sommelier Certificate (no easy thing to pass) and my wife at their tasting bar chatting it up.

Aged nicely, better 3rd day into this bottle. Blueberry pie, hint of smoke. Delicious. Also - Greg & Pam Harrington are wonderful people - Met them years ago thanks to Charlotte Milan.

Nice domestic Syrah showing a fair amount of Northern Rhône qualities. Drank over three days. Density was more present on opening, by day three it was floral, bright and showed more whole cluster character.

Ridiculous value. Sizable amount of Rocks District fruit as I understand it. Nose has several shifting savory and fruity notes: tangy dark berries, Worcestershire sauce, dark minerality, smoke, jerky. In the mouthy the savory takes over with intense clinginess, really nice acids. Good tannic structure for further development. Long-ass finish.

Dense purple red. Wood, smoke notes in nose, lemon, cherry, spice and walnut notes in mouth, cherry finish, high weight tannins on finish aftertaste. Needs time to open so fruit can develop

Dark black fruit, savory, Med-Full, hint of baking spices, downright delicious on this winter eve.

Dark garnet color. Bold aromas of black and blue fruit, purple flowers with a funky Smokey/asphalt note. Same fruits on the pallet with hints of leather, black olives, meat and tar. Long and lingering earthy finish that features just a touch of black pepper and menthol. Beautiful texture and balance. Very Northern-Rhône like in style. Nice.

2013