2022 Reserve Syrah
Tasting Notes
Rich and full-bodied, this Reserve Syrah strikes a luxurious balance of dark, concentrated fruit, savory undertones, and refined complexity. A co-ferment of 99% Syrah and 1% Viognier, it opens with deep aromas of sweet plum and blackberry, layered with notes of white pepper and grilled game. The palate is dense and textured, unfolding with flavors of blueberry reduction, savory bacon fat, and a subtle hint of orange oil. A long, silky finish lingers with impressions of toasted oak, flint, and wet stone. Beautifully crafted and expressive, it’s drinking wonderfully now and will continue to evolve gracefully through 2042.
Awards
2022 Vintage:
90 Points, Vinous
2021 Vintage:
93 Points, Paul Gregutt
Vineyard Designation
100% Estate Grown
Vintage Notes
The 2022 vintage in the Yakima Valley was a bit of a roller coaster. A mild winter extended into spring with early frost periods and winter-like conditions in April. The cool spring delayed bud break by a few weeks and caused delayed growth in the vineyard as we moved into summer. Each vineyard block was meticulously managed to ensure a ripe crop by harvest. We lowered clusters per vine and allowed for more sunlight exposure. By mid-July, temperatures finally started warming up and led to record growth in a short amount of time. Fortunately, warm summer temperatures extended into fall, helping to lengthen the growing season and allowing the grapes to continue to ripen. Harvest ended up being delayed approximately three weeks from a typical year. We gratefully did not experience any fall frost events, so the grapes had extended hang time on the vines to achieve optimal ripeness and excellent flavor development. Overall, the 2022 vintage displays ripe flavors, bountiful fruit aromas, and balanced acidity. The wines can be enjoyed in their youth, or they can cellar for many years to come.
Winemaking Notes
Sourced from select reserve-tier blocks within our estate vineyard, this Syrah reflects meticulous farming and artisanal winemaking. Harvested at peak ripeness in early October, the fruit was optically sorted and fermented in concrete, with about 40% whole clusters to build structure and complexity. A small co-ferment of 1% Viognier (honoring a Northern Rhône tradition) amplified the aromatics and enriched the mouthfeel. After a four-day cold soak, fermentation with native yeasts reached 88 to 90°F, beginning with délestage and transitioning to gentler techniques to maintain balance and prevent over-extraction. The wine then aged 21 months in 500L French oak puncheons (75% new, 25% two-year-old), with bi-monthly lees stirring to enhance texture, followed by a final two-week rest in concrete to harmonize depth and minerality.
* Produced in a Vegan Manner (No animal by-products were used in the production of this wine)
Food Pairing
Korean Short Ribs
Moroccan Lamb Barbecue
Rib-Eye Steaks with Tomato-Basil Relish
Sharp Cheddar or Aged Gouda
- Varietal Composition: 99% Syrah, 1% Viognier
- Appellation: Yakima Valley
- Aging / Barrel Program: 21 months in 500L puncheon French oak barrels (75% new, 25% 2-year-old barrels), 2 weeks in concrete tank
- Cases Produced: 151
- Alcohol: 14.5%
- pH: 3.92
- Acidity: 5.5 g/L
- Ageability: Enjoy now through 2042, with optimal maturity anticipated in 2036.