Rich layers of black raspberry and black berry combine with exotic spice and smoke. The 06 Ex Umbris is even lusher than the 2005, showing dark cocoa and mineral notes on the sappy finish.
An Owen Roe "Best Buy" several vintages running. The previous vintage (2005) received 91 points from Wine Spectator and was #69 in WS Top 100 Wines of 2007.
Ex Umbris is Latin for 'out of the shadows'. This wine was originally crafted to express the smoky notes imparted to the Syrah grapes by a raging wildfire. One of the characteristics of this noble grape is its inherent smokiness, a flavor that comes through even without Mother Nature's assistance. Art DenHoed's Erickson Road Vineyard, Mike Sauer's Red Willow Vineyard, and Joe Hatrip's Elephant Mountain Vineyard in western Yakima Valley yielded Syrah with tremendous richness. It was then balanced by the cooler, smoky Lewis Vineyard in The Dalles, and the unctuous fruitiness of Alder Ridge Vineyard in Alderdale, WA. A fabulously aromatic and full-bodied Syrah! 2006 was a first rate Syrah vintage that exemplifies all the fragrance, texture, and deep plum/gamey characteristics of great Syrah." -Winery
Detailed Info, Previous Vintage Notes, Reviews:
2005 Vintage Tasting Notes
Wine Spectator 91 points and "Smart
Buy": "Supple,
generous and beautifully focused to display its
cherry, blackberry and dusky spice flavors. Not
a big, blatant red, but a wine that shows finesse
and refinement without losing any of its ripe
flavors. Drink now through 2015. 3,100 cases
made." –HS
Aromas of blackberries and marionberries, entwined with the wine's trademark smoky scent, make this a Syrah standout from the moment it's opened. This is a juicy, fresh and lively Syrah that shows layers of berry fruit flavors. It's structured with balanced acidity and well managed, fine grained tannins that are present but never intrusive.
Ready to drink, "refreshing", "appealing", "lively" are some of the words tasters have used to describe it. David continues to make the price super competitive - this is an Owen Roe "Best Buy".
Latin for "out of the shadows", this wine was originally crafted to express the smoky notes imparted to the Syrah grapes by a raging wildfire. One of the characteristics of this noble grape is its inherent smokiness, a flavor that comes through even without Mother Nature's assistance.
If you remember back to the first release of this wine, the vineyard was literally next door to the edge of a forest fire, and the first vintage was so stongly flavored with smoke that some people found it atypical ... and many people loved it. Each vintage thereafter has showed less of the smoky quality imparted from the fire, and this vintage has just an intriguing hint of bacon fat-laced smoke. -jy
This Syrah is named for the personal motto of Cardinal John Henry Newman "Ex umbris et imaginibus in veritatem"(From shadows and symbols goes the truth). David was inspired by the fire blackened land right next to the vineyard and the stark contrast between it and the verdant grapevines full of fruit.
Did a memorial day crawl through the Pinot Capital of Oregon, Had stopped for lunch in Carlton. Did a tasting at The Horseradish Store. Best wine we had done... more...
Full Bodied and Deep
May 30, 2007
Tina Morrison
San Francisco CA US
This wine will take your mouth hostage, spreding to every nook and cranny, leaving you satisfied and wanting more. Fantastic! more...
