Washington has produced some of my favorite Syrahs in the U.S. They showcase powerful fruit with big, structured bodies. This single-plot sourced Syrah delivers exactly that. For starters, the wine is a sultry purple with a dark purple core and nearly translucent edges. Dark fruit dominates the nose and body and is nicely balanced against praline pecans, vanilla, and tobacco notes. Stillwater Creek has been in winemaker Brian Grasso’s lineup for a number of years. His brown label wines are designed to showcase the terroir of a single plot. This Syrah delivers.
Structure Cellars, Royal Slope (Columbia Valley, Washington) Syrah 2020
By Vince Simmon