Barnard Griffin
2005 Syrah
Columbia Valley
$17.00

A recent announcement that Barnard Griffin is building a new wine facility in the Columbia Gorge is exciting news to fans of this family-owned winery in Richland. A great example of Rob Griffin's value-priced varietals, the 2005 Syrah features ripe aromas of blackberry, plum and toasty oak. The palate is juicy with berry flavors and soft tannins that pair well with spicy barbecued pork. (10/08 CH)

Coeur d'Alene Cellars
2005 Opulence
Washington
$40.00

One of several Syrahs produced by CdA Cellars, the reserve Opulence is sourced predominantly from old vines on the McKinley Springs vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills. This wine offered the most complex and appealing aromas in our tastings; cherry, plum, cocoa, baking spice, citrus and toasty vanilla weave an olfactory symphony. Rich flavors of plum and berry are well integrated with toasty oak, earth and spicy notes on the palate. (10/08 CH)

Edenvale
2003 Syrah
Rogue Valley
$25.00

This wine hails from Medford, Oregon and is a blend of Syrah fruit from five southern Oregon growing areas. A favorite with our tasters, it shows a complex nose of strawberry, red currant, toasty oak and notes of chocolate and citrus. The spicy palate adds light tarry flavors with a minty/toasty finish. Very nice with mildly spiced meats. (10/08 CH)

Red Knot
2006 Shiraz
McLaren Vale
Australia
$12.00

This delicious Shiraz has more of a Beaujolais quality than the other Syrah wines listed here. I love Beaujolais. Strawberry and blackberry on the nose lead to juicy berry palate with notes of chocolate and hints of toasty oak. An excellent pairing with a variety of spicy dishes! (10/08 CH)

Solena
2004 Syrah
Del Rio Vineyard
Rogue Valley
$30.00

The Del Rio Vineyard in Oregon's Rogue Valley is providing superb fruit to many Northwest wineries. Winemaker Laurent Montalieu crafted this rich and mouthfilling Syrah from Del Rio grapes. Look for ripe cherry, tobacco and earthy notes on the nose and a rich palate of black fruits, toasty oak and vanilla on the palate. Great with spicy Italian sausages from the grill. (10/08 CH)

Three Rivers Winery
2005 Syrah, Boushey Vineyard
Yakima Valley
$50.00

This is another superb vintage of the Boushey Vineyard Syrah from Three Rivers. Barrel aged in French oak (40% new), the wine offers aromas of ripe blueberry, spicy currant, cocoa and toast with hints of earth and vanilla. The palate is rich with tangy and spicy fruit, yet somewhat hard, tempting the taster to lay some away to mellow. (10/08 CH)

Thurston Wolfe
2005 Syrah
Columbia Valley
$20.00

Wade Wolfe celebrated his winery's 20th anniversary in 2007 and released his 2005 Syrah just in time for toasting! Vinted from grapes grown at Andrews Vineyard (Horse Heaven Hills) and Burgess Vineyard (near Pasco), the wine offers aromas of spicy black fruits, light tarry notes and vanilla. The palate is redolent of cherry, spicy plum and tobacco. (10/08 CH)

Trio Vintners
2006 Syrah
Columbia Valley
$26.00

This recent addition to the Walla Walla Airport winery scene was founded by Steve Michener, Denise Slattery and Tim Boushey. These co-winemakers crafted this delicious Syrah offering spicy berry fruit and toasty oak on the nose, and seducing the palate with rich blueberry, blackberry and cocoa flavors on the palate. A great foil for spicy Indian meats from the tandoori oven. (10/08 CH)

William Church Winery
2005 Syrah
Dineen Vineyard
Yakima Valley $32.00

This 100% Syrah was sourced from the Dineen Family Vineyard near Zillah in the Yakima Valley. The wine was aged in 100% new oak (20% French, 80% American), which gives it a toasty nose over ripe fruit aromas of cherry and blackberry. The palate is firm with flavors of cassis, cherry, tobacco and vanilla. A powerful wine that complements spicy barbecue beef brisket. (10/08 CH)

Zinfandel

Barnard Griffin
2006 Zinfandel, Reserve
Hells Gate Vineyard
$25.00

The Hells Gate Vineyard is located in the Columbia Gorge just west of the Maryhill Museum. It must be the right place to grow Washington Zinfandel, since talented winemaker Rob Griffin crafts a superb example each year.  Bright aromas of plum and cherry mingle with toasty oak and lead to a rich fruity palate of red fruits, spicy oak and a balanced finish that makes this a "go-to" food wine.  (11/09 CH)

Cathedral Ridge
2007 Zinfandel
Columbia Valley
$24.00

This wine is one reason I offered the above explanation for breathing a wine.  Upon first pouring, the wine offered bright fruit aromas and flavors of berry and spice.  After an hour's breathing, the nose burst forth with amplified character of black cherry, herbs, spicy blackberry and more.  The palate brightened noticeably with rich flavors and a long, tasting finish.  Superb with rich pan-fried steak.  (11/09 CH)

Columbia Crest
2006 Zinfandel, Reserve
Stone Tree Vineyard, Wahluke Slope
$35.00

This special single-vineyard reserve Zinfandel is a blend of 76% Zinfandel, 12% Primitivo and 12% Petite Sirah, all grown at the Stone Tree Vineyard on the Wahluke Slope.  The aroma of the wine belies the power to come on the palate, offering notes of spicy floral perfume, strawberry and cherry cola.  Flavors build on the palate with the lighter cherry giving way to black fruits and dark chocolate on the finish.  A complex and interesting wine that shows well with rich grilled beef.  (11/09 CH)

Eola Hills Wine Cellars
2007 Zinfandel, Lodi
$24.00

Eola Hills brings old vine (65-years) Zinfandel grapes north from Lodi, California to craft this over-the-top Zin that shows exceptional character.  Look for juicy-ripe blackberry aromas with spicy pepper, cedar and smoke.  The palate offers the classic jammy, juicy, cherry flavors wrapped in spicy nuances of oak. (11/09 CH)

Forgeron Cellars
2005 Zinfandel
Columbia Valley
$30.00

If you want to talk about wine drinking with food, don't miss an opportunity to share experiences with the French.  Their culture embraces food and wine like no other, and Forgeron winemaker Marie-Eve Gilla is passionate about pairing her wines with food.  She suggests pepper-crusted pork loin or hearty cassoulet with her 2005 Zinfandel.  Look for aromas of blackberry, anise, baking spice and pepper.  Flavors of ripe cherry and toasty oak frame the palate and make for a lip-smacking time at the dinner table.  (11/09 CH)

Maryhill Winery
2006 Zinfandel, Reserve
Columbia Valley
$36.00

Maryhill winemakers use a blend of fruit from three Washington AVAs to craft this powerful reserve wine; Milbrandt Vineyards on the Wahluke Slope, Alder Ridge in the Horse Heaven Hills and Gunkel Vineyard in the Columbia Gorge are represented in the blend that offers forward fruit aromas of ripe plum, black cherry, floral perfume and vanilla.  Ample toasty oak abounds in both nose and palate with lingering fruit flavors holding court on your tongue while you carve your next bite of steak.  (11/09 CH)

Sineann
2007 Zinfandel, Old Vines
Columbia Valley
$36.00

Winemaker/owner Peter Rosback describes this as his flagship wine, crafted from grapes grown on 100-year-old vines near The Dalles, Oregon.  The wine is dark and brooding, showing aromas of black cherry, ripe plum, smoky cedar and barrel spice.  In the mouth, the wine is rich and unctuous with flavors of chewy, toasty blueberry, cassis and raspberry.  Serve this special wine with your finest efforts from the grill.  (11/09 CH)

Solena Cellars
2004 Zinfandel, Wooldridge Vnyrd
Applegate Valley
$25.00

Laurent Montalieu has a soft spot in heart for Southern Oregon, where once he spent seven vintages at Bridgeview in Cave Junction as winemaker.  His Solena Zinfandel hails from Wooldridge Vineyard in the Applegate Valley south of Grants Pass and northeast of Cave Junction.  This selection also can use some breathing time to open its nose of earthy black cherry, cassis and herbs. The palate is mellow and shows mature cherry, toasty oak and vanilla.  (11/09 CH)

Three Angels
2007 Primitivo
Columbia Valley, Coyote Canyon Vineyard
$20.00

Winemaker Ed Fus crafted this beauty from the Italian clone of Zinfandel.  A ripe and toasty style, look for dried cherry, earthy berry, dusty rose and toasty oak on the nose.  The palate is rich and chewy, demanding food from the grill.  (11/09 CH)

Thurston Wolfe
2007 Zinfandel, Howling Wolf
Zephyr Ridge Vineyard
$18.00

Dr. Wade Wolfe's offering also benefited from an hour of air exposure, revealing aromas of rich black cherry, plum and toasty oak.  On the palate, tasters were enticed with flavors of berry and cherry, complemented by notes of coffee, anise and a finish of vanilla-laced blackberry.  (11/09 CH)

Troon Vineyard
2007 Zinfandel, Kubli Bench
Applegate Valley
$21.00

Southern Oregon's Applegate Valley excels at producing some of the State's heartiest red wines. Winemaker Herb Quady - along with Team Troon - blended in some Syrah, Cabernet and Merlot to add structure and balance to the ripe, spicy Zinfandel.  Look for aromas of spicy black fruits, cherry, tar and leather.  The palate is rich with fruit and notes of toasty oak, earth and herbs. Another wonderful food wine.  (11/09 CH)

Zefina Winery
2006 Zinfandel, Estate
Alder Ridge Vineyard
$25.00

Zefina's estate Alder Ridge Vineyard has become a "go-to" source for many Washington wineries looking to add structure and complexity to their blends from other AVAs.  Winemaker Rob Chowanietz took advantage of an excellent vintage and crafted a Zinfandel with a panoply of aromas: strawberry, cherry, floral perfume, leather, coffee and spice.  Just add meat from the grill and serve.  (11/09 CH)



 

Go to WHITE Northwest wine reviews