Barnard Griffin's Reserve Syrah packs a punch. It's a big wine, lots of deep, juicy plum and cherry flacors. For lovers of big big wines.
Detailed Info, Previous Vintage Notes, Reviews:
Wine Press NW says: "A lovely Syrah available only at retail stores (not the winery). It provides aromas of dark berries and flavors of blueberries. It is rich and smooth with jammy, approachable tannins. Enjoy with duck or lamb."Winemakers Notes: Washington may be the perfect climate for Syrah. Here we achieve the fruit intensity of a warm climate (think Australia) and yet retain acidity for balance and definition (think France). The aromas of our '01 are intensely varietal and very ripe with a background note of spicy toasted French oak. Scents of dark fruits, blackberries, and violets are dominant. The flavors are rich and almost sweet on the palate following through with the dark fruit theme. The wine is very soft in its tannins but balanced to its overall largeness. The extreme ripeness of the fruit yielded a higher than usual alcohol which helps contain the enormity of the flavors. Food matches: We have had success with reduction sauces for savory meats and also very rich dark chocolate desserts. Vineyards and Growing Season: The 2001 growing season was a typical vintage for Washington State: a warm summer followed by a dry and long fall for good ripening. Both sugars and acids were balanced and optimal throughout our contracted Syrah vineyards. I believe that Syrah achieves best results in our climate if allowed to begin its characteristic dehydration. By allowing a very faint raisining we stress the rich, ripe side of the aromatics and contribute to fullness and depth on the palate. My winemaking philosophy is that in most cases a blend of different vineyards will produce a wine of enhanced character and complexity beyond the 'one vineyard' wine. Here are my sources for 2001 Syrah: Desert Air Vineyard Columbia Valley/Wahluke Slope 61.1% Lonesome Springs Ranch Vineyard Columbia Valley/Yakima Valley 14.8% Gunkle vineyards Columbia Valley/Columbia Gorge 18.5% Hells Canyon Snake River/Idaho 5.6% Winemaking: ICV D54 yeast was used at a maximum fermentation temperature of 91o F Pump-overs 2 to 3 times/day, fermented to ca. 5 degrees brix. Malolactic positive Aged in French and older American oak barrels 1,735 cases produced
