($22) Good red-ruby. Wild, superripe aromas of black cherry, dried berries, leather, licorice and dried herbs; this does resemble mourvedre! Then sweet and intensely flavored, with strong acidity giving grip to the wine. The garrigue and dried fruit flavors are complicated by a note of bitter chocolate. Lots of flavor intensity here; it will be interesting to follow this.

89 Syncline Syrah, McKinley Springs Vineyard, Horse Heaven Hills

($30) Good bright ruby. Superripe aromas of dried fruits, mocha, chocolate and licorice. Sweet, ripe and rich, offering a big mouthful of sweet berry fruit. Finishes with broad tannins and sexy, rather exotic dried fruit flavors.

91 2004 Syrah McKinley Springs Vineyard Horse Heaven Hills

2% Viognier; as with the Milbrandt Syrah, the percentage of new oak was less than 20% Deep ruby red. Aromas of black raspberry and mocha. Dense and thick but suave, with nicely integrated acidity giving shape and energy to the enticing flavors of black raspberry and chocolate. A refreshing racy style of Syrah for its concentration of material. Finishes ripely tannic and long.

90 2005 Viognier Columbia Valley

Fermented in barrel but not put through malolactic fermentation. Captivating nose combines peach nectar, orange and a hint of banana, all lifted by mineral and gingery high notes. Sweet but dry, with lovely intensity and texture and fresh acids framing its peach flavor. Serious Viognier, with terrific fruit and excellent grip.

90 2005 Rosé Columbia Valley

A southern Rhône blend; all saignée Light, bright pink. Spicy, floral, fresh aromas of strawberry, watermelon and cinnamon. Silky and quite dry, with lovely intensity of fruit and spice flavors and bright firming acidity. Not at all an opulent style of Rosé but bright, sharply delineated and subtle. Finishes with an excellent grip. Uncommonly classy Washington Rosé.

88 2004 Syrah Milbrandt Vineyard Columbia Valley

Moderately saturated ruby-red. Reduced nose offers aromas of smoked meat, truffle and gunflint. Sweet dark berry flavors are concentrated and pretty if quite firm edged. A tad dry on the finish. This is made in a rather cool area for Syrah and may reward a couple years of cellaring.

89 2004 Viognier Clifton Vineyard

Broad, ripe, buttery aroma of tropical fruits. Opulent and fruity in the mouth, with a flavor of orange blossom and a distinctly candied quality. Lovely friut has a distincly sweet character but finishes with a firm edge. Ripe, persistent and ready to drink. In fact, I'd consume the viognier over the next 12 months.

87 Roussanne Alder Ridge Vineyard

Aromas of peach pit, nuts, smoke and chamomile. Peachy, dry and restrained, with a hint of licorice. Finishes with a faint alcoholic warmth and a note of grapefruit.

88 Syrah Milbrandt Vineyards

Bright ruby-red. Superripe, porty aromas of dark fruits and chocolate. Sweet, fat and supple, with chocolate and spice flavors of modest complexity. Substantial, slightly roasted fruit flavors are given shape by firm acidity. In fact, there's a slight hardness on the finish.

91 Syrah McKinley Springs Vineyard

Bright ruby-red. Aromatic nose combines crystalized black raspberry, pepper and musky espresso. Sweet, suave and silky, with superconcentrated flavors nicely balanced by ripe acidity, sweet, fine tannis. Made without any new barrels, and with a bit of co-fermented viognier. A pinot producer's style of syrah.

← Back to Press Page