Saint Laurent Syrah 2006
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Wine Spectator
Bright and flavorful, offering a juicy mouthful of rose petal–accented plum flavors that linger easily against refined tannins. Best from 2010 through 2016. 700 cases made.
There are few martyrs in the Church whose names are so famous as that of St. Laurent, in whose praises the most illustrious of the Latin fathers have written and whose triumph, to use the words of St. Maxiumus, the whole Church joins in a body to honor with universal joy and devotion.
In 1999, Mike planted the first 60 acres, on the Wahluke slope, to Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Today the vineyards blanket 260 prime, fertile acres near the mighty Columbia River. The vineyard sites, on the Wahluke Slope, are located in the heart of the famous Columbia Valley AVA. The Wahluke Slope, has just been declared to be separate AVA, which is highly renowned for premier red wines. This terroir is known for several unique characteristics; first, is the great solar intensity - its day length and growing degree days; second, is the unique soil profile and fertility created by ancient lava flows and glacial floods - in the channeled scablands region. This dramatic and fertile growing environment grows consistent luscious, premier wine grapes which are sought out by world class wine makers. The lovely, full bodied and fruit filled wines that our state has become famous for, start with an excellent "terroir". Add to this unique terroir, a very diligent viticulture program- technically monitored by Michael Mrachek, producing wines which are artfully crafted by our winemaker- Craig Mitrakul. We hope that you will take a moment to savor the fruits of our "vertically integrated" farming operation from 'vine to fine wine'.
Marked by an unmistakable deep purple hue and savory aromatics, Syrah makes an intense, powerful and often age-worthy red. Native to the Northern Rhône, Syrah achieves its maximum potential in the steep village of Hermitage and plays an important component in the Red Rhône Blends of the south, adding color and structure to Grenache and Mourvèdre. Syrah is the most widely planted grape of Australia and is important in California and Washington. Sommelier Secret—Such a synergy these three create together, the Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre trio often takes on the shorthand term, “GSM.”
A large and geographically diverse AVA capable of producing a wide variety of wine styles, the Columbia Valley AVA is home to 99% of Washington state’s total vineyard area. A small section of the AVA even extends into northern Oregon!
Because of its size, it is necessarily divided into several distinctive sub-AVAs, including Walla Walla Valley and Yakima Valley—which are both further split into smaller, noteworthy appellations. A region this size will of course have varied microclimates, but on the whole it experiences extreme winters and long, hot, dry summers. Frost is a common risk during winter and spring. The towering Cascade mountain range creates a rain shadow, keeping the valley relatively rain-free throughout the entire year, necessitating irrigation from the Columbia River. The lack of humidity combined with sandy soils allows for vines to be grown on their own rootstock, as phylloxera is not a serious concern.
Red wines make up the majority of production in the Columbia Valley. Cabernet Sauvignon is the dominant variety here, where it produces wines with a pleasant balance of dark fruit and herbs. Wines made from Merlot are typically supple, with sweet red fruit and sometimes a hint of chocolate or mint. Syrah tends to be savory and Old-World-leaning, with a wide range of possible fruit flavors and plenty of spice. The most planted white varieties are Chardonnay and Riesling. These range in style from citrus and green apple dominant in cooler sites, to riper, fleshier wines with stone fruit flavors coming from the warmer vineyards.