This Syrah from Waterbrook Winery in Walla Walla Valley, a region located to the south of the Columbia Valley in Washington State, impressed us with its combination of vibrancy and structure.
It offered an aromatic bouquet of dark currants, red currants, vanilla, and cedar on the nose and an enticing mix of dark currants, cranberries, black pepper, earth, cedar, and spice in the mouth. The tannins, although somewhat grippy, did not come across as over-bearing, and they could be expected to settle over time.
We paired this Syrah with grilled chicken, grilled peaches, and roasted potatoes, and it more than held its own. It would also pair nicely with an array of dishes, including grilled lamb, grilled steak, and beef stew. The high acidity allows for pairings with more acidic foods.
The bottle label struck us as simple, yet refined, with a nice combination of fonts. At $21.95, this Syrah represents good value for the money, and it showcases another of the excellent wines produced in Washington State. We look forward to visiting the winery when we tour the region, hopefully, next year.
Rating (from 70 to 100): 89/100
Value: 3.5/5
The Bottle Details…
Name: Waterbrook Syrah
Vintage: 2014
Producer: Waterbook Winery
Region/Country: Walla Walla Valley, Washington State, U.S.A.
Grape Varietal(s): Syrah
Alcohol content: 14%
Consumed: At home
Recommended By: Picked it from the last chance bin at the LCBO.
Cost: $21.95 CAD
Bottle Presentation: A simple, classy label, with a nice combination of fonts.
The Tasting Details…
Appearance: Medium purple-ruby.
Nose: A medium nose, with dark currants, red currants, vanilla, and cedar.
Taste: A dry, medium-to-full-bodied red, with grippy tannins and a high level of acidity. Prominent flavours included dark currants, cranberries, black pepper, earth, cedar, and spice.
Finish: A long, finish of red and dark fruit, as well as earth and spice.