Gramercy Cellars
Lagniappe Red Willow Syrah
Columbia Valley, Oregon/Washington, USA
Initially, my comment was this isn’t a style of Syrah I seek out. Not that it isn’t delicious (because it is), but normally from WA/OR, I want some funk. That being said, the more I drank from the bottle, the more I scratched my head thinking “wow, this is better than I thought”. This is an in between of cool climate Cali Syrah + non funk driven WA state Syrah. I didn’t pick up a lot of stem inclusion here regarding greenness. Cracked black pepper, black currant, loads of violet/potpourri and some spiced jelly aromatics. The palate, over the course of 8hrs in the bottle, blossomed to a profile of herb crusted blackberries, jerky, spiced rhubarb and a crunchy/tannic bite on the finish that brings you back to Syrah. Delicious now, but probably has another 2-3yrs until peak.
Initially, my comment was this isn’t a style of Syrah I seek out. Not that it isn’t delicious (because it is), but normally from WA/OR, I want some funk. That being said, the more I drank from the bottle, the more I scratched my head thinking “wow, this is better than I thought”. This is an in between of cool climate Cali Syrah + non funk driven WA state Syrah. I didn’t pick up a lot of stem inclusion here regarding greenness. Cracked black pepper, black currant, loads of violet/potpourri and some spiced jelly aromatics. The palate, over the course of 8hrs in the bottle, blossomed to a profile of herb crusted blackberries, jerky, spiced rhubarb and a crunchy/tannic bite on the finish that brings you back to Syrah. Delicious now, but probably has another 2-3yrs until peak.
Sep 24th, 2021
Dense and tannic. So much time, patience and evolution is needed here. I’m not sure if it will ever completely shed it’s rough edges but I do know you shouldn’t touch it for several years.
Dense and tannic. So much time, patience and evolution is needed here. I’m not sure if it will ever completely shed it’s rough edges but I do know you shouldn’t touch it for several years.
Oct 10th, 2017Bravo! Picked at the perfect time, ripe enough, but no more. Old oak, great acid, excellent balance. So glad I have more, no hurry on this one.
Bravo! Picked at the perfect time, ripe enough, but no more. Old oak, great acid, excellent balance. So glad I have more, no hurry on this one.
Mar 17th, 2016Meaty, leather, white pepper. Wonderful sexy savory Syrah. Little tannin, beautiful now.
Meaty, leather, white pepper. Wonderful sexy savory Syrah. Little tannin, beautiful now.
Dec 24th, 2015
Really beautiful northern Rhone style. Delicious
Really beautiful northern Rhone style. Delicious
Jul 28th, 20152010 Syrah Lagniappe, excellent, just the right amount of wrong
2010 Syrah Lagniappe, excellent, just the right amount of wrong
Sep 8th, 2014Inky purple and brining the funk. Notes of plum, lavender, smoked bacon and black currant. Big, rich, full bodied; in the mouth this wine explodes with black olive, cedar, smoke and iron. The impossibly long finish brings well rounded tannins, tobacco, chocolate and cigar box full of exotic spices. Just WOW!!!
Inky purple and brining the funk. Notes of plum, lavender, smoked bacon and black currant. Big, rich, full bodied; in the mouth this wine explodes with black olive, cedar, smoke and iron. The impossibly long finish brings well rounded tannins, tobacco, chocolate and cigar box full of exotic spices. Just WOW!!!
Sep 6th, 2014
compare & contrast- Lagniappe was also beautifully balanced, a bit more fruit, gamy nature present, just a bit subdued.
compare & contrast- Lagniappe was also beautifully balanced, a bit more fruit, gamy nature present, just a bit subdued.
Dec 27th, 2013