So we opened a bunch of WA syrahs and syrah blends on the 4th of July. Other than Reynvaan and the Copain listed here, I'm not the biggest fan of new world syrah, though either the wines are changing or my resistance is wearing thin as I increasingly find some examples I like. Gramercy is obviously a producer I need to get to know better. The theme made perfect sense since I had a bunch of one-offs, plus the Spohns were coming and I thought it would be a fun look at what's going on here in Washington. I too wanted more perspective--I tend to have one here, one there, with a lot of blank space inbetween. Unaware of my plans, Bill surprisingly showed up with a pair of old Aussies--they fit right in!
1998 Fox Creek Shiraz McLaren Vale
Showing quite well--extracted notes of cassis, blueberry and herbs with a hint of maple on the finish (maybe because it was brought by a Canadian? Joke....)
1997 Fox Creek Shiraz McLaren Vale
It's dead, Jim.
2008 Reynvaan Family Vineyards Syrah The Contender Walla Walla Valley
Outstanding in every regard. Balance, funk, weight, fruit, acidity, tannins--it's a Washington Hermitage. Just wow. WOTN.
2010 Copain Syrah Tous Ensemble Mendocino County, California
Interesting secondary nuances are filling out what has been a very interesting wine since I first purchased a case three years ago. I regret that I only have two left. Flavors of black plum and black raspberry with fennel and white pepper; and still quite bright. The outlier, in all the right ways, among a crowd of mostly Washington syrahs. A crowd favorite.
2013 L'Ecole No. 41 Syrah Columbia Valley
Harvey Steiman will LOVE this wine. Big core of ripe fruit, and perfectly correct--tastes good, and will offend no one. I just found it a little too textbook and boring, a little lacking in some kind of character compared to the other wines on the table. Eh.
2003 Dunham Cellars Syrah Double River Estate Vineyard Columbia Valley
Dear Eric Dunham, why did you not want to live to see how beautiful this wine is at age 14? It showed complex, spicy red fruit with mature notes of leather and burning incense. Good acidity and tannins still hold it all together. Should hold here for a few years. You'd have been so proud!
2008 Grand Rêve Vintners Collaboration Series II Ciel du Cheval Vineyard Red Mountain
Very concentrated, opulent style which I'm typically not a fan of but this bottle is nonetheless beguiling and it showed even better on Day Two. Very youthful, has a long future ahead--would guess it's prime years will be 2019-2022.
2005 Long Shadows Wineries Syrah Sequel Columbia Valley
Cork slid out a bit too easily; wine was OTH. So I opened another:
2005 Long Shadows Wineries Syrah Sequel Columbia Valley
This bottle had a snugger cork than the first, but though drinkable the acidity and tannins are pretty well spent and oxidation's just around the corner. Drink up!
2013 Rôtie Cellars Northern Blend Washington Syrah Blend, Syrah
Gorgeous, complex and sexy young nose of raspberries, plums, baking spices and violets. Big bodied and quite sweet on the palate. Elegant and obviously well made, but needs time to harmonize the sugar.
2010 Gramercy Cellars L'Idiot du Village Washington Syrah blend
My other favorite. If one of these wines had been a French ringer, it would have been this. St. Joseph-like (yes I know a St. Joe would be all syrah and this wasn't, but still) green olive and white pepper on perky raspberry fruit with just a tad of barnyard for authenticity. Restrained sweetness with good acidity; great form overall. Drank well over two days; am pushing the drink window out to 2020.
