Winemaker Notes
The assembly of this blend was a true collaboration of winemakers Bob Bertheau, Michel Gassier and Philippe Cambie, combining their decades of experience to produce a wine that is a testament to the tremendous potential of Rhone varietals in Washington State.
Blend: 40% Grenache, 35% Syrah and 25% Mourvedre
Professional Ratings
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The real superstar in the lineup is the 2013 Tenet GSM, which checks in as a mix of 40% Grenache, 35% Syrah and 25% Mourvedre that spent 12 months in neutral French oak. Ripe, voluptuous and thrillingly textured, this beauty boasts fabulous aromatics of red and black raspberries, melted licorice, pepper and assorted floral characteristics. These all come together nicely on the palate where the wine is full-bodied, has no hard edges, a big, layered mid-palate and blockbuster length. Count me impressed. This Chateauneuf du Pape look-alike will have a decade or more of longevity.
-
Wine Enthusiast
A blend of 40% Grenache, 35% Syrah and 25% Mourvèdre, all aged in neutral oak, this wine impresses with alluring aromas of ripe strawberry, clove, blueberry, coffee and spice. Flavors are rich and palate-coating while displaying balance and finesse, with a finish that lingers.
-
Wine Spectator
Focused and powerful, without extra weight, this offers a lithe and agile mouthful of blackberry, black cherry and licorice flavors, along with hints of black olive and smoky grilled pepper. A swarm of crunchy tannins wraps up the finish. This has presence and grace to match the power. Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre. Best from 2017 through 2023.
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.
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.