Winemaker Notes
Red Willow Vineyard has emerged as one of the premier sites for Syrah in the Pacific NW, and our new 2008 Red Willow Chapel Block Syrah is an expression of this very special place. Red Willow's high elevation, 1200-1300 ft, placed it above the influence of the glacial Missoula floods from 12,000 years ago. As a result, the soils are more shallow and ancient than those of lower elevations. This forces vines planted here to produce especially low yields of densely concentrated fruit with very unique flavor profiles; some of the best Syrah we've ever seen. This wine is bold and complex with inky colors, fragrant aromas of lavendar with blueberry notes, cedar smoke and a hint of vanilla and licorice on the finish.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Spectator
Warm, inviting and impressive for the purity of its plum, blackberry and currant fruit, sailing easily over a bed of fine tannins and finishing silky and seamless, with hints of espresso and violet. This has extraordinary balance and finesse without sacrificing an ounce of power. Drink now through 2016.
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.”
As the first recognized wine-growing region in the Pacific Northwest, Yakima Valley is centrally located within Washington’s vast Columbia Valley. The region also includes Washington’s oldest Cabernet Sauvignon vines, Otis Vineyard, planted in 1957, and Harrison Hill Vineyard, planted in 1963. Yakima Valley contains three smaller sub-regions: Rattlesnake Hills, Red Mountain, and Snipes Mountain and is ideal for both red and white wine production. In fact, Yakima Valley is Washington’s most diverse region, boasting more than 40 different grape varieties over about one hundred miles.
The cooler parts of the valley are home to almost half of the Chardonnay and Riesling produced in the state! Both are made in a wide range of styles depending on the conditions of the vineyard site.
But its warmer locations yield a large proportion of Washington’s best Merlot, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. The finest Yakima Valley reds are jam-packed full of red cherry, currant, raspberry or blackberry fruit, as well as cocoa, herb, spice and savory notes, and exhibit a supple texture, great body, focus and length.