Rotie Cellars Northern Blend 2010
|
|
Rotie Cellars Northern Blend 2010
Rhone Red Blends from Walla Walla Valley, Washington
winemaker's notes:
Modeled after a Cote Rotie (hence the winery name) this is a co-fermented blend of 95% Syrah (45% SJR Vineyard in the "Rocks" and the balance from Dwelley and Patina) and 5% Viognier. It displays a deep ruby color and a nose of raspberry, cherry, cassis and a bit of plum, with scents of lavender, sandalwood, orange peel, oriental incense and a hint of violets. The palate comprises of thick dark fruits wrapped around a deep bore core, underlain with licorice, Swiss chocolate and French roast. The back reveals a grainy texture that is intermixed with earthy minerals, dried cherry and orange peel, and touches of crème brulée, and roasted nuts, followed by chewy sweet-dry tannins on the finish.
Blend: 95% Syrah, 5% Viognier
critical acclaim:
"Boyd's 2010 Northern Blend – its Syrah co-fermented with 5% Viognier – is all Walla Walla (half from the cobbles of Milton-Freewater), but he still utilizes the Washington State appellation because he wants the label of this flagship bottling to remain unchanged and wishes to retain open options to source from any part of the state. Scents of bacon; fresh cherry and red raspberry shadowed by their distilled counterparts; violet, honeysuckle, and acacia; musk; lavender and other resinous herbs; along with pungently bittersweet citrus oils, all capture one's attention. Their counterparts on an infectiously juicy, fine-grained and strikingly buoyant palate are mingled with veal stock and mouthwateringly savory pan drippings. Cardamom and black pepper add yet greater complexity. The clean, marrow-like meatiness that extends all the way through this Syrah's lusciously long finish is anything but gamey. While I generally turn a skeptical eye toward associations of New World wines with Old World icons, I have to say that tasting this open, elegant beauty immediately put me in mind of one of the great, old Cote Blonde Cote Roties of Pierre Gallet. And while I wouldn’t – absent a track record – predict a two decade life span for this Walla Walla Syrah, neither would it shock me if it were to achieve that. In any event, one ought to at least plan on following this terrific value for the better part of a decade."
94 Points
The Wine Advocate
User Wine Lists
The top 3 most viewed lists that include this wine.
Create a list and share your favorite wines with other customers.
Wish List - 5/15/2013 (29 items) (viewed 329 times)
Wish List - 3/3/2013 (6 items) (viewed 39 times)
|
EWLROTIENORTH_2010
|
|
