Reustle Prayer Rock Vineyards
2013 Syrah, Reserve
Umpqua Valley AVA
$39.00
As
the weather warms and wine tourists emerge to enjoy their chosen
destinations, many will flock to Reustle Prayer Rock Vineyards in
Oregon’s Umpqua Valley. The property includes areas for picnicking,
touring the gardens and even an amphitheater for concerts and events.
Overnight lodging at their remodeled carriage house is coming soon.
When you reach the tasting room, enjoy wines such as this zesty Syrah
featuring aromas and flavors of cranberry and cherry with spicy pepper
and a hint of citrusy grapefruit on the finish.
L’Ecole No 41
2012 Syrah, Estate, Seven Hills Vineyard
Walla Walla Valley AVA
$36.00
L’Ecole No 41 winery is one of the first properties that visitors
encounter on Highway 12 as it enters Walla Walla. This historic winery
celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2013, and has become a
Walla Walla icon of hospitality and fine regional wines. This Syrah from
their estate Seven Hills Vineyard impressed my tasters with aromas of
plum, spicy tobacco, smoky bacon and violets. Plum flavors on the
palate are joined by tangy blackberry, earthy mineral and spicy oak – a
great pairing for flank steak with chimichurri sauce.
Columbia
Crest
2013 Syrah, Reserve
Coyote Canyon Vineyard
Horse Heaven Hills AVA
$35.00
Winemaker Juan Muñoz Oca crafted this rich and flavorful Syrah from
grapes grown in the Horse Heaven Hills AVA at the Coyote Canyon
Vineyard. He co-fermented 89% Syrah with 8% Grenache and 3% Viognier (a
common technique in the Northern Rhone) before aging the wine in
American oak barrels – 60% new. Aromas of ripe dark fruits mingle with
smoky spice, tobacco and coffee, leading to complex flavors of
blueberry, black currant and caramel – delicious with grilled steak.
Boomtown by Dusted Valley
2013 Syrah
Washington State
$19.00
Boomtown is the second label for Dusted Valley winery founded a dozen
years ago by Corey Braunel and Chad Johnson. The larger production of
this brand enables the winery to share its quality wines with a larger
audience. Boomtown Syrah speaks with a loud voice, offering ripe cherry
and berry with notes of caramel and tobacco and hints of toasty cedar.
Amavi Cellars
2012 Syrah, Les Collines Vineyard
Walla Walla Valley AVA
$40.00
Les
Collines Vineyard lies in the foothills of the Blue Mountains, east of
Walla Walla, Washington and is a prime source for some of Washington’s
best wineries. It is part of the estate property of Pepper Bridge and
Amavi Wineries. Winemaker Jean-Francois Pellet crafts wines for both
Amavi Cellars and also Pepper Bridge Winery. Les Collines Syrah offers
aromas of blueberry and cherry with notes of vanilla, violets and
citrus. The palate is rich and powerful with blueberry and blackberry
flavors wrapped in toasty oak and caramel.
Purple Star Wines
2012 Syrah
Columbia Valley AVA
$18.00
Kyle and Amy Johnson operate their Purple Star winery in Benton City,
Washington, with a satellite tasting room in Vancouver, Washington near
Portland. Their 2012 vintage Syrah was sourced primarily from the
Weinbau Vineyard in the Wahluke Slope AVA. Look for spicy black fruits,
olive and smoky mineral with notes of black raspberry and barrel spice.
Pend d’Oreille Winey
2010 Syrah
Washington
$22.00
My
tasters appreciated comparing this Syrah from an older vintage with
younger wines to get some sense of how the varietal ages. While still
offering aromas and flavors of dark fruits, mineral and spice, the wine
shows complex mature notes and a balanced palate that paired very well
with Neapolitan pork chops over pasta.
