Winemaker Notes
'In The Rocks' is Reynvaan's first vineyard in the Walla Walla Valley, located in Milton-Freewater, Oregon between a cherry orchard and En Cerise Vineyard. Described as the most unique terroir in the United States, this dried-up river bed contains large smooth river sized rocks reminiscent of Châteauneuf-du Pape. The soils of this vineyard are the result of an alluvial fan formed by the Walla Walla River about 15,000 years ago. This ancient riverbed of rocky soils is a world class site to grow grapes. They believe that with this terroir they are able to create unique, well balanced and very special wines.
Blend: 94% Syrah, 6% Viognier
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
The 2020 Syrah In The Rocks sees slightly more Viognier and is a co-fermented blend of 94% Syrah and 6% Viognier. Its ruby/plum color is followed by a more mineral-laced, masculine Syrah offering ample red and black fruits, notes of iron, sappy flowers, ground pepper, and lite gunpowder. Medium to full-bodied, concentrated, and pure, it's another elegant yet powerful, singular wine from this team with tons of classic Northern Rhône Syrah character.
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James Suckling
A meaty and juicy syrah with grilled plums, roasted thyme, peaches, cloves and cherries here. Medium- to full-bodied, supple and delicious, with ripe tannins and fleshy dark fruit. Open already and very attractive, with a long and concentrated finish. 94% syrah and 6% viognier, co-fermented. Unfiltered and unfined.
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Wine Spectator
Polished and nuanced, this Syrah has a deep yet elegant structure that unveils blackberry and raspberry flavors accented with stony minerality, black olive and savory beef tones, which build toward refined tannins. Drink now through 2032.
With bold fruit flavors and accents of sweet spice, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre form the base of the classic Rhône Red Blend, while Carignan, Cinsault and Counoise often come in to play. Though they originated from France’s southern Rhône Valley, with some creative interpretation, Rhône blends have also become popular in other countries. Somm Secret—Putting their own local spin on the Rhône Red Blend, those from Priorat often include Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. In California, it is not uncommon to see Petite Sirah make an appearance.
Responsible for some of Washington’s most highly acclaimed wines, the Walla Walla Valley has experienced a surge in popularity in recent years and is home to both historic wineries and younger, up-and-coming producers.
The Walla Walla Valley, a Native American name meaning “many waters,” is located in southeastern Washington; part of the appellation actually extends into Oregon. Soils here are well-drained, sandy loess over Missoula Flood deposits and fractured basalt.
It is a region perfectly suited to Rhône-inspired Syrahs, distinguished by savory notes of red berry, black olive, smoke and fresh earth. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot create a range of styles from smooth and supple to robust and well-structured. White varieties are rare but some producers blend Sauvignon Blanc with Sémillon, resulting in a rich and round style, and plantings of Viognier, while minimal, are often quite successful.
Of note within Walla Walla, is one new and very peculiar appellation, called the Rocks District of Milton-Freewater. This is the only AVA in the U.S. whose boundaries are totally defined by the soil type. Soils here look a bit like those in the acclaimed Rhône region of Chateauneuf-du-Pape, but are large, ancient, basalt cobblestones. These stones work in the same way as they do in Chateauneuf, absorbing and then radiating the sun's heat up to enhance the ripening of grape clusters. The Rocks District is within the part of Walla Walla that spills over into Oregon and naturally excels in the production of Rhône varieties like Syrah, as well as the Bordeaux varieties.