Charles Smith
Royal City Washington Syrah
Washington, USA
Some great fruit from the Stoneridge Vineyard. Four hours of air did the trick. Refined and polished with olives, wild raspberry, and a bit of camphor. The oak is abundant but well integrated showing suave vanilla aromas. Cola. Wears the 14.5% abv well. A great pairing with beef bourguignon. Think this would wear a $60 price tag a bit more easily.
Some great fruit from the Stoneridge Vineyard. Four hours of air did the trick. Refined and polished with olives, wild raspberry, and a bit of camphor. The oak is abundant but well integrated showing suave vanilla aromas. Cola. Wears the 14.5% abv well. A great pairing with beef bourguignon. Think this would wear a $60 price tag a bit more easily.
2 people found it helpfulFeb 23rd, 2021
Explosive, rich, yet finesse. Opened up with penetrating fruit flavors of currant and blueberry converting into notes of ripe blackberry, earthy dark forest floor, spiced mulberry. Extremely well integrated fine tannins that creates a long finish. And perhaps the rating is so high because of the braised short ribs in creamed oyster mushrooms dish we paired it with. It was mind blowing how well the two worked together. One of these rare moments you chase the rest of the year.
Explosive, rich, yet finesse. Opened up with penetrating fruit flavors of currant and blueberry converting into notes of ripe blackberry, earthy dark forest floor, spiced mulberry. Extremely well integrated fine tannins that creates a long finish. And perhaps the rating is so high because of the braised short ribs in creamed oyster mushrooms dish we paired it with. It was mind blowing how well the two worked together. One of these rare moments you chase the rest of the year.
Aug 15th, 2021
Classy single vineyard Syrah. I assumed this would be an opaque, full bodied monster, but it was pleasantly balanced and closer to medium. Expensive oak was the star, but not in an off putting way - with 7 years and a four hour decant softening the barrel influence. Tasty and well crafted, unfortunately the Royal City’s price almost doubled once it became the first Syrah in Washington to receive 100 points in 2006. $130
Classy single vineyard Syrah. I assumed this would be an opaque, full bodied monster, but it was pleasantly balanced and closer to medium. Expensive oak was the star, but not in an off putting way - with 7 years and a four hour decant softening the barrel influence. Tasty and well crafted, unfortunately the Royal City’s price almost doubled once it became the first Syrah in Washington to receive 100 points in 2006. $130
Feb 24th, 2021
