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: 2016 B. Leighton "Olsen Brothers Vineyard" Yakima Valley Syrah

2016 B. Leighton "Olsen Brothers Vineyard" Yakima Valley Syrah (Previously $40)

SKU #1418346 96 points Jeb Dunnuck

Outer quote mark The 2016 Syrah comes from a site in the Yakima Valley that was planted by Leighton. Its deep ruby/purple color is followed by classic Syrah notes of dark berry fruits, smoke tobacco, olive tapenade, and ground pepper. Medium to full-bodied, with both freshness and richness, it’s impeccably balanced, with beautiful fruit and a great finish. It’s another seriously good wine from Brennon that delivers the goods. Drink it over the coming 7-8 years. These releases are from the personal label of Brennon Leighton, who’s part of the genius behind the K Vintners releases. His flagship cuvée is his Petit Verdot, but he makes a brilliant Mourvèdre and Syrah as well. Inner quote mark (4/2019)

96 points James Suckling

Outer quote mark Super fragrant and attractive aromas of wild berries, spices and pepper, as well as dark stones and orange-zest nuances. This has exceptionally defined fruit and length. Really superior definition and concentration are what sets this apart. Tastes of dark cherries, blood plums and dark chocolate with a weave of fine spice and pepper. Plenty here already, but much more to come. Inner quote mark (7/2019)

93 points Vinous

Outer quote mark (from the Phelps clone of Syrah, which was brought up to Red Willow vineyard by David Lake in 1986): Bright, dark red. Sexy scents of raspberry, brown spices, black pepper and flowers are Côte-Rôtie-like in their soil-driven wildness. Tight and savory on the palate, with juicy dark berry and spice flavors showing terrific inner-mouth definition and energy. The firmly tannic finish features a note of roasted nuts and excellent rising length. Just 10% new oak here. Superb. (ST) Inner quote mark (11/2018)

91 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

Outer quote mark The 2016 Syrah Olsen Brothers Vineyard has an expressive nose of black pepper and roasted herbs with dark, dusty black fruit. Full-bodied, the wine tastes of black peppercorn and blackberry with hints of bacon fat that frame the subtle yet elegant notes of French oak and baking spices. It has a firm tannic edge that leads to a long, savory finish. This will last for more than a decade. (AM) Inner quote mark (12/2019)

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2016 B. Leighton "Olsen Brothers Vineyard" Yakima Valley Syrah

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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.

Country:

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.

Alcohol Content (%):

14.5