The 2016 Force Majeure ‘SJR Vineyard’ Syrah is one of the most impressive Washington wines I have tasted over the past year. This simply awesome new Syrah was sourced from the esteemed SJR Vineyard in the Walla Walla Rocks AVA. The wine was fermented using native yeasts and then was aged in oak puncheons (50% new) for 18 months prior to bottling. While the Syrah was obviously given a good amount of oak treatment, this does not come off as particularly oaky. The wine shows serious range on the nose from green olive to bacon fat to blood orange rind to red cherry candy and guava puree. The beautiful aromatics bring you back to the glass for more pleasure. The texture to this wine borders ethereal and absolutely delights the senses once on the mouth. Black olive tapenade, wild blackberry cobbler, salted smoked pork shoulder, umami and touches of milk chocolate all come together marvelously. This is just stunning wine that marvelously showcases this great vineyard.
Rating | Value | Drink |
97 |
$100 |
2019-2032 |
Country | Region | Appellation |
United States |
Washington |
Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley |
Editor | Issue | Importer |
O. Bargreen |
September, 2019 |
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