Estate Walla Walla Valley Syrah

I like the nose on this, but like more than a few ‘17s I’ve had from Walla Walla, the palate is a little disappointing. The nose has the campfire ember smokiness (thanks Mt. St. Helens!) along with a hint of musky orchid florals. Some oozy berry fruit in the background. The palate hits with some deep savory flavors, but the back half shows a little astringency. Still, overall, pretty nice.

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.

Gorgeous and balanced, this Syrah from The Rocks has a stunning nose of lavender, smoky ash-pit, crushed sandstone, bresaola, dark berry ooze. Super soft and lightly savory in the mouth, it kind of floats rather than sits in the mouth. Long, rich flavors end on a savory, saline note. Ridiculous.

Theresa had this 10 years ago

Deep ruby. Black fruit, black pepper, smoked meat, bacon. M acid and tannin. Balanced. Little heat on the end.

Unique, smokey dark Syrah from Proper in WW. Syrah only vineyard hiding down south in the rocks. This is their 9th vintage. Worth trying every one. (Even though the 2019 is best!)

Still solid Rocks district syrah.

A couple of years since my last btl. On the nose: lovely soft rocks funk (stewed, spiced cabbage?), loads black raspberry, olive brine, cola...fantastic aromatics. On the palate: very good acidity, cola, green herbs, more black raspberry, slightly creamy in texture...creamy finish, with largely attenuated tannin, but a touch of grip. Solid...but has this already peaked?

Sad this was my last bottle. Savory Syrah with a great QPR. Also, I had read about pairing Syrah with Indian food and wanted to give it a try last night. The pairing actually worked. I think that some of the notable factors to keep in mind when pairing red wine with Indian include: no grippy tannins, no fruit forward styles, and lack of oak.

Completing a 16,17,18 vertical Syrah tasting at Proper in WW. Very bright fruit!