2015 Dead Heat Syrah, Columbia Valley
Tasting notes
Great Northwest Wine says ... Woodinville vintner Terry Wells draws some great positioning at the starting gate for this round yet full Syrah with bloodlines of Milbrandts’ Clifton Hill Vineyard on the Wahluke Slope and Olsen Brothers Vineyard in the Yakima Valley near Prosser. All four of the oak barrels were French, with one of them brand new, and the wood treatment shows balance, allowing for aromas of dark blue fruit, toast and white pepper. Inside, it’s plummy, cherry and chocolaty as blueberry skin tannins merely provide some context for a long ride to the finish. These wines are available for tasting on weekends in the Warehouse District, and they can be enjoyed with Tacos Carnitas at nearby Village Wines.
Wine Enthusiast says ... the aromas are generous, with notes of dark plum, smoke and baking spice. The palate is weighty and full, with palate-coating purple-fruit flavors that show pleasing depth, density and length.
Washington Wine Blog says ... deep and inky colored, this shows really nice clove, spicebox and black cherry compote aromatics. The palate is downright delicious, exuding deep black fruits with a touch of milk chocolate.
Made with Love and harvested by hand in Washington State. Fermented both whole cluster and whole berry fruit.
| Vintage | 2015 |
| Varietal | 100% Syrah |
| Appellation | Columbia Valley |
| Vineyard | Clifton Hill, Olsen |
| Aging | 18 months in French Oak barrels 75% neutral 25% new. |
| Alcohol | 14.80% |
| Volume | 750 ml |
90 Points, Washington Wine Blog (June 2018)
Washington Wine Blog says ... Deep and inky colored, this shows really nice clove, spicebox and black cherry compote aromatics. The palate is downright delicious, exuding deep black fruits with a touch of milk chocolate. Drink 2018-2026
Outstanding!, Great Northwest Wine (March 2018)
Great Northwest Wine says ... Woodinville vintner Terry Wells draws some great positioning at the starting gate for this round yet full Syrah with bloodlines of Milbrandts’ Clifton Hill Vineyard on the Wahluke Slope and Olsen Brothers Vineyard in the Yakima Valley near Prosser. All four of the oak barrels were French, with one of them brand new, and the wood treatment shows balance, allowing for aromas of dark blue fruit, toast and white pepper. Inside, it’s plummy, cherry and chocolaty as blueberry skin tannins merely provide some context for a long ride to the finish. These wines are available for tasting on weekends in the Warehouse District, and they can be enjoyed with Tacos Carnitas at nearby Village Wines.
91 Points, Wine Enthusiast (December 2017)
Wine Enthusiast ... A blend of Olsen Vineyard in the Yakima Valley and Clifton Hill on the Wahluke Slope, the aromas are generous, with notes of dark plum, smoke and baking spice. The palate is weighty and full, with palate-coating purple-fruit flavors that show pleasing depth, density and length.
