2017 La Serenne
Syrah
Regular price $144.00La Serenne is a superlative example of the ability of Syrah to express itself so distinctly and specifically in one site. It comes from Boushey Vineyard, the highest altitude and latest harvested of the four Syrahs we make. It was planted using cuttings from Red Willow Vineyard, which makes up another of our Syrahs, La Côte Patriarche; We've walked these rows with Dick Boushey for almost 20 years now and still are taken aback by the wild, seductive wine that emerges from each vintage.
Wine Specifications
- Vintage: 2017
- Varietal: Syrah
- Appellation: Yakima Valley
- Aging: 58% Whole Cluster Inclusion.
- Alcohol: 13.8%
- Region: Washington
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Tasting Notes
The 2017 La Serenne is a stunner from the moment it hits the glass with dark, coating, black-purple color. This vintage used almost 60% whole-clusters in the ferment, more than ever before. The aromatics reflect it: lavender, fennel, white pepper and tarragon join inky, blackberry purée, huckleberry and dark chocolate. The mouthfeel is luscious, velvety and round bringing smoky coffee bean and fresh herbs to the fore. A polished tannic backbone promises a long cellar life, but it’s hard to resist right now.
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Acclaim
"Coming from the Boushey Vineyard in the Yakima Valley, the 2017 Syrah La Serenne is another beautiful wine from this team, offering perfumed notes of blue fruits, ground peppery, gravelly earth, and smoke. Fermented with close to 60% stems and aged in French oak, it’s medium to full-bodied, perfectly balanced, has a seamless texture and ripe tannins, all pointing to a brilliant Syrah that’s going to evolve for 10-15 years." 95 pts - Jeb Dunnuck
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Winemaker notes
The 2017 Syrah La Côte Rousse marks our first time utilizing a traditional technique of co-fermenting small amounts of Viognier (3%) along with the Syrah, the goal being to subtly affect aromatic lift and color vibrancy. And what color! Magnificent, deep, dark purple leads out to an almost impossibly brilliant magenta rim. The aromas are a blend of familiar and exotic; black and red raspberry lead the way for sweet and savory salted plum, chamomile tea and white pepper. Weighty but fresh, the palate adds peat smoke and leather with a hint of cocoa powder filling out the package. The finish is saline, lengthy and broad. This is classic Red Mountain Syrah, with precision, brightness and terrific structure.
