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: 2009 K Vintners "Morrison Lane" Walla Walla Valley Syrah

2009 K Vintners "Morrison Lane" Walla Walla Valley Syrah

SKU #1075868 94 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

Outer quote mark From a cobbled block of mature vines south of Walla Walla and very near the site of Smith’s new estate plantings, his 2009 Syrah Morrison Lane opens dramatically with pungent scents of wood smoke, resin, tar, soy, huckleberry and cassis, whose counterparts reconvene on a sappy, expansive, finely tannic palate leading to a piquant, gripping finish so forceful and energetic it leaves my tongue aquiver. The sort of pedal-to-the-(heavy) metal wine for which Smith is known (or notorious), this is, nonetheless, completely convincing in its complexity and cling. Look for at least the better part of a decade’s interesting evolution (though possibly the fact that the tannins were even more noticeable overnight should serve as some sort of cautionary signal). (DS) Inner quote mark (12/2012)

K&L Notes

Charles Smith is like the Sammy Hagar of wine, and not just because his curly locks are reminiscent of the one-time Van Halen front man. Like Hagar, Smith is more memorable for his contributions to the world of alcoholic libations than he is his 11 years managing rock bands in Scandinavia. (For those of you not in the know, Hagar may be better remembered for Cabo Wabo premium Tequila than for anything he did with Van Halen.) The wines under his K Vintners label are always critically acclaimed, and because of their small production, they sell out EXTREMELY FAST. The last two vintages received 93 points from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, and we think this one is even better. Made entirely from Syrah sourced from the Morrison Lane Vineyard in Walla Walla, this is an ample, earthy, brambly, smoky iteration of the varietal with fine-grained tannins.

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2009 K Vintners "Morrison Lane" Walla Walla Valley Syrah

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RP: 94

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Varietal:

Shiraz/Syrah

- One of France's noblest black grape varieties, Syrah is known for its intense and distinctive perfume reminiscent of briar fruit, tar, spice and black pepper and its firm structure. One of few black grape varietals frequently vinified on its own, the best examples of Syrah come from the Northern Rhône, particularly Hermitage, but also Côte-Rôtie, Cornas, Crozes-Hermitage and St-Joseph. These wines are very astringent in their youth, though some Crozes-Hermitage and St-Joseph can be enjoyed young, relatively speaking. Given the requisite patience, though, these wines can reveal amazing complexity and secondary fruit characteristics like plum and blackcurrant as well as subtle hints of smoke and flowers. In the Southern Rhône, Syrah is used to add structure and complexity to wines dominated by Grenache and complemented by Mourvèdre, like the more immediately drinkable Côte du Rhônes, as well as the long-lived wines of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. In recent years, plantings of Syrah have spread throughout the Languedoc-Roussillon where it is produced on its own or blended with other varietals. Outside of France, the most important Syrah growing country is easily Australia, where it is called Shiraz. Quality levels here depend greatly on yields and geography, and the wines range from bold, fruity and easy-drinking to intense and ageable, like the famed Penfolds Grange. Often bottled on its own, in Australia Syrah is also can be blended with Grenache and Mourvèdre, as in the Southern Rhône, and is increasingly combined with Cabernet Sauvignon. Syrah has also been steadily increasing in popularity in California, thanks to a group of advocates called the Rhône Rangers. Its most successful iterations come from the Central and Sonoma Coasts, where winemakers are pushing boundaries and creating some incredible wines. In recent years Syrah has also found a number of proponents in Washington State, which is definitely a region to watch for this variety.

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United States

- When people consider domestic wine, they normally think about the state of California. The fine viticultural Region within California, including the Napa Valley, Sonoma, Santa Cruz Mountains, Mendocino and Santa Barbara, are capable of growing grapes of world-class quality. But there's plenty of fabulous wine coming from other states, too. Oregon, Washington and New York are also causing eyebrows (and glassware) to be raised around the world.

Sub-Region:

Washington

- Washington has become one of the most important wine producing states in the United States, and development continues to grow rapidly. In 1969, when California was exploding as a wine producer, Washington had only two wineries, but by 2000 that number had passed 100. Most of Washington's grape crop goes to uses other than wine. Merlot and Chardonnay have been the most successful in Washington. It's interesting to note that Washington's prime wine regions are located at 46° north, along the same latitude as the legendary French wine districts of Bordeaux and Burgundy. During the summer, Washington averages more than two hours more sunlight each day compared to California.