Sleight Of Hand Cellars
The Psychedelic Stoney Vine Estate Vineyard Syrah
Walla Walla Valley, Oregon/Washington, USA
This is just beautiful. Classic Rocks nose: musky florals, smoky ground dark stones, rare roasted beef, dark berry ooze. Earthy, mouthfilling and soft, it’s all about secondary flavors now, heading to tertiary. Super soft and rich, but everything in balance. It’s always kind of amazing to me how different Syrahs in Walla Walla, especially from The Rocks (which are basaltic in nature), are from the granite-grown Syrahs in the Northern Rhône. Love this.
This is just beautiful. Classic Rocks nose: musky florals, smoky ground dark stones, rare roasted beef, dark berry ooze. Earthy, mouthfilling and soft, it’s all about secondary flavors now, heading to tertiary. Super soft and rich, but everything in balance. It’s always kind of amazing to me how different Syrahs in Walla Walla, especially from The Rocks (which are basaltic in nature), are from the granite-grown Syrahs in the Northern Rhône. Love this.
Mar 27th, 2023
This gorgeous Syrah was aged in 30% new French oak for 14 months prior to bottling and underwent 50% whole cluster fermentation. This begins with aromas of peat moss, horse manure, black truffle and suggestions of blood orange rind with red cherry. The flavor range is gorgeous, with red cherry, smoked meat, orange zest, and wet rock flavors that sit alongside some nice tension. Smooth and polished, this delicious effort will cellar well for another decade. Drink 2019-2029- 93
This gorgeous Syrah was aged in 30% new French oak for 14 months prior to bottling and underwent 50% whole cluster fermentation. This begins with aromas of peat moss, horse manure, black truffle and suggestions of blood orange rind with red cherry. The flavor range is gorgeous, with red cherry, smoked meat, orange zest, and wet rock flavors that sit alongside some nice tension. Smooth and polished, this delicious effort will cellar well for another decade. Drink 2019-2029- 93
Feb 19th, 2019
Sleight of Hand Cellars gets it's name from Winemaker/Co-owner Trey Busch’s favorite Pearl Jam song, Sleight of Hand. He started the winery with partners Jerry and Sandy Solomon in 2007 after meeting at an auction. Since then, Sleight of Hand has become somewhat of a cult winery in Washington. The tasting room is decorated with an old jukebox and hipster inspired by rock albums. You only need to walk into the winery to see their love of Rock n' Roll. The winery also has a magic theme; which grew out of their name. All of their bottles have imagery of vintage magic posters that inspired their labels and names. It’s easy to see that the tasting room has great music and good vibe. While they make serious wines, the owners are fun, humble and only wish to make the best wine in Washington. They're on a good track. Photos of; a wide shot of the main tasting area, Trey Busch-Co-owner/Winemaker, the cover of the Pearl Jam album "Binaural"...the album that the song "Sleight of Hand" is on and the sitting area of their private tasting room. On the nose; a touch of funk, dark currants, tarry notes, savory grilled meats, pepper, iodine, blood, herbs & dark, candied, floral with violets. The palate has M+ body & tannins. Black currants, black plum, blackberries, blue fruits, dark cherries, black raspberries & raspberries. Pepper, blood, iodine, grilled meats, black licorice, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, clove, black cherry cola, fresh, red florals & violets, crushed rocks, loamy soils and big, round acidity with a beautiful, rich, elegant finish.
Sleight of Hand Cellars gets it's name from Winemaker/Co-owner Trey Busch’s favorite Pearl Jam song, Sleight of Hand. He started the winery with partners Jerry and Sandy Solomon in 2007 after meeting at an auction. Since then, Sleight of Hand has become somewhat of a cult winery in Washington. The tasting room is decorated with an old jukebox and hipster inspired by rock albums. You only need to walk into the winery to see their love of Rock n' Roll. The winery also has a magic theme; which grew out of their name. All of their bottles have imagery of vintage magic posters that inspired their labels and names. It’s easy to see that the tasting room has great music and good vibe. While they make serious wines, the owners are fun, humble and only wish to make the best wine in Washington. They're on a good track. Photos of; a wide shot of the main tasting area, Trey Busch-Co-owner/Winemaker, the cover of the Pearl Jam album "Binaural"...the album that the song "Sleight of Hand" is on and the sitting area of their private tasting room. On the nose; a touch of funk, dark currants, tarry notes, savory grilled meats, pepper, iodine, blood, herbs & dark, candied, floral with violets. The palate has M+ body & tannins. Black currants, black plum, blackberries, blue fruits, dark cherries, black raspberries & raspberries. Pepper, blood, iodine, grilled meats, black licorice, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, clove, black cherry cola, fresh, red florals & violets, crushed rocks, loamy soils and big, round acidity with a beautiful, rich, elegant finish.
At opening, though slightly funky, it wasn’t as aromatically funky as I was expecting a wine from this region to be. Evidently, it only needed 15-20mins for the full funk to come out. Smoked brisket, teriyaki strip, olive tapenade, and peppercorn. On the palate, specifically the mid palate, this showed more fruit than expected (in a good way) with spiced blackberry and roasted rhubarb. Herbal notes too. This is an iron fist in a velvet glove...the power is up front and then becomes elegant on the back end. Drinking really well now but can hold in this window for 3-5yrs. @Keith Fisher mentioned he thought this was maybe a bit more funky than Horsepower...it’s certainly up there!
At opening, though slightly funky, it wasn’t as aromatically funky as I was expecting a wine from this region to be. Evidently, it only needed 15-20mins for the full funk to come out. Smoked brisket, teriyaki strip, olive tapenade, and peppercorn. On the palate, specifically the mid palate, this showed more fruit than expected (in a good way) with spiced blackberry and roasted rhubarb. Herbal notes too. This is an iron fist in a velvet glove...the power is up front and then becomes elegant on the back end. Drinking really well now but can hold in this window for 3-5yrs. @Keith Fisher mentioned he thought this was maybe a bit more funky than Horsepower...it’s certainly up there!
1 person found it helpfulJan 26th, 2019
Powerful Syrah that went great with my pizza. The fruit is amazing. Likely the best Washington state wine I have had. An American-style Syrah, not elegant like Hermitage, but interesting in its own right.
Powerful Syrah that went great with my pizza. The fruit is amazing. Likely the best Washington state wine I have had. An American-style Syrah, not elegant like Hermitage, but interesting in its own right.
Apr 19th, 2019
It is truly psychedelic. Got the bottles signed by he winemaker and designer. 🙌 @Kim Stanbro see how much I ♥️ you!!??
It is truly psychedelic. Got the bottles signed by he winemaker and designer. 🙌 @Kim Stanbro see how much I ♥️ you!!??
Aug 10th, 2018