Friday Sips

2013 AMAVI SYRAH WALLA WALLA
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE

A wonderful Walla Walla producer that has excellent bloodlines. The McKibben family from Pepper Bridge Vineyards along with winemaker Jean-Francois Pellet have partnered with Ray Goff to produce excellent wines from an ever-escalating region that offer stupendous value. The Syrah is the specialty of the house and the 2013 is a mouthful of over-delivering wonderment. 54% Les Collines, 26% Stone Valley, 11% Seven Hills, 7% Pepper Bridge, 2% Summit View Vineyards are utilized in this dashing, full-flavored Syrah. Quite an engaging number, this Syrah is one that lovers of New World and Old World versions of the grape will gravitate towards. Plenty of dark blueberry and cherry fruit as well as tapenade, smoke and dusty earth carry over to a texture that has brambly fruit flavors, rich spice and pepper. A great introduction to Washington Syrah, this wine can be accessed now and can be consumed over the next 6-8 years. Pair it with grilled or smoked meats.

2013 WOODWARD CANYON MERLOT
$39.99 BTL./$479.88 CASE

For those of who you fear the M word, you might want to get over it, because this is stunning wine. One of the things that has given me agita for quite a long time is how one line in a dreadfully bad movie virtually killed the Merlot grape. On one hand, it did get rid of a whole hell of a lot of formulated rubbish but it also disparaged the reputations many good makers’ wines slowing their sales in the process. One who has continued to make stellar Merlot since the first bottled it is Rick Small and Woodward Canyon. Made from fruit from Weinbau Vineyard as well as Woodward Canyon’s estate vineyard, this wine has an impressive 93-point score from Wine Enthusiast Magazine: ‘Wood spice and vanillin are out in front on the aromas followed by mocha, raspberry and dark fruit. The palate brings lush, concentrated flavors and a finish with lots of hang time. It drinks beautifully out of the gate, but should have a long life ahead of it.’

2013 LOBO HILLS PETIT VERDOT
'STONETREE VINEYARD'
$27.99 BTL./$335.88 CASE

Rare to see as a lead varietal, Petit Verdot is a varietal utilized in Bordeaux as a blending grape, specifically to bring teeth to Cabernet blends on the Left Bank. Because of its tendency to ripen late, it thrives very well in the warmer conditions in the new world, especially Washington, where higher percentages are used in blends as well as making it into a single varietal wine. Lobo Hills is an exciting newcomer to Washington that focuses on miniscule production wines. From the Stonetree Vineyard in the Wahluke Slope appellation, this Petite Verdot possesses deep and youthful flavors and aromas of violet, blackcurrant, sweet red pepper, graphite and a hearty meatiness that leads on to a rich, full-bodied palate with fine tannins, typical Petit Verdot zingy acidity and a cherry infused cocoa spice that lingers beautifully after the wine is swallowed. Drink over the next decade.

2014 SAVAGE GRACE CABERNET SAUVIGNON

'RED WILLOW VINEYARD'
$31.99 BTL./$383.88 CASE

Made from fruit from the famed Red Willow Vineyard, one can see this young producer,who was named Seattle PI's winery of the year last year Old World inspirations coming through instantly the wine is poured into the glass. Symmetrical aromas of crème de cassis, bing cherry, earth, Havanas and cedar box are what you find on this very serious nose. Somewhat reminiscent of a fine St-Julien with its old vine core of fruit and finesseful structure. Chewy and mouth coating tannins frame the assertive fruit perfectly and follow through to a lengthy uber-fine finish to make this an unusually early-accessible wine from the Red Willow vineyard. Do not be fooled this will live and grow in complexity for another 10-15 years. Aerate this beauty and have at it with a meaty mushroom dish, roasted lamb chops or a serious steak.