World renowned. Washington grown.

2000 Reserve Syrah

Tasting Notes
“An intense, exotic wine that offers mouth-filling, harmonious varietal expression. The nose is thick with earth, coffee and spice. Concentrated, lush blueberry and raspberry define the palate. Ample tannins join the concentrated fruit on the middle palate where they linger. Grenache was added to the final blend to enhance the blend’s youthful drinkability, although this wine will reach its maturing in 10 years.” - Doug Gore, Winemaker

Growing Season

• The 2000 growing season yielded some exceptional wines from unusual weather patterns.
• Mild winter temperatures gave way to bud break 10 days earlier than normal.
• From April through August, warm temperatures and cloud-free skies were interrupted by two two-week stints of cool, wet weather.
• Cool temperatures modestly delayed the ripening period, but the additional hang time resulted in ideal sugar accumulation and flavor maturity.

Vineyards

• Grapes for the Reserve Syrah program are harvested predominantly from vineyards located within the Yakima Valley (aromatics) - our oldest Syrah vineyard site, the Horse Heaven Hills (balance and complexity), and the Wahluke Slope (texture and body).
• Syrah has an affinity for the region’s warm daytime temperatures during summer months and cooler temperatures during the ripening season. Lower temperatures during ripening concentrate aromatics and enhance complexity.
• The region’s low rainfall stress the vines and ultimately yields concentrated fruit with depth and varietal expression.

Winemaking

• Grapes were crushed and fermented on their skins for 5 days in small open-top fermenters.
• The cap was gently punched down by hand up to four times daily to enhance the extraction of color, aromatics and flavors.
• Malolactic fermentation followed in half French and half American oak barrels in a new and one-year-old rotation.
• The wine was racked by gravity flow at three month intervals during its 15 months in barrels.
• The master blend includes 8% Grenache features just 10% of the barrels initially designated for the Reserve program.

Technical Data

• Total acidity: 0.63 g/100ml
• pH: 3.72
• Alcohol: 13.5%
• Blend: 92% Merlot, 8% Grenache

Food Pairings
Savory beef stew, game birds

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