Roland Wines 2011 Durandel Sangiovese, Yakima Valley, $26

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Cowlitz County winemaker Marc Roland has a passion for Italian wines, and his Dolcetto off Red Willow Vineyard from the same vintage topped a 2013 Wine Press Northwest judging of Italian varieties. His Sangiovese comes from another renowned Yakima Valley site — Boushey Vineyard — and he incorporated Syrah (3%) from Red Willow for color and Cabernet Sauvignon (2%) off Stillwater Creek for added structure. The theme is one of black currant, black cherry and vanilla with allspice, black pepper, fine-grained tannins and easy acidity. Roland takes a page out of the Matter of France series of literary works as the name for this blend, using the name for the heavenly sword used by Roland — one of Charlemagne’s top soldiers.

Rating: Recommended

Production: 100 cases

Alcohol: 13.5%

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