The grapes for this juicy Syrah came from the storied Red Willow Vineyard, planted by Mike Sauer and David Lake in 1986. The wine was aged for 12 months in French oak barrels, half new, half once filled. It has a deep ruby color with vibrant purple edges and slightly closed ripe raspberry aroma and a whiff of white pepper. The structure is solid supporting compact fruit, berry and spice, with fine tannins and 14.7% alcohol. Layered now with baby fat, this wine has lots of promise and should be laid down for at least another two to three years.
Betz Family Winery, Yakima Valley (Washington) Syrah 2009
By Gerald D. Boyd