Walla Walla Valley Estate Syrah

Another very elegant, balanced, complex, and distinctive Syrah from The Rocks district. Sultry color. The nose is extraordinary and so “The Rocks”: tobacco leaf, asparagus, fire pit, sandstone, with the ripe berry ooze fruit in the background. On the palate, it’s so soft and enveloping, with dark ripe berries shot-through with crushed smoky rocks. Though it’s not heavy or jammy, texturally it coats the palate and won’t leave. So good. What I love about this small and unique district is that it shows, almost more than any region I can name, the effect of geology on wine. Rhône varietals, especially Syrah, grown here are unlike anything else I’ve ever tasted. I just hope that global warming doesn’t wreck things here.

A Syrah that first shows a bit of red dark fruit and smoked meats, and follows with a hint of pepper on the finish. This medium body red is well balanced and well made. I have discovered some good Walla Walla wines, and this is one of them. (There is also great cycling around the area. A hidden gem for cyclists who also love wine).