Owen Roe 2013 Red Willow Vineyard Chapel Block Syrah, Yakima Valley, $55
One of the Northwest’s most acclaimed vintners, David O’Reilly, moved his family a few years ago to the western edge of the Yakima Valley for a variety of reasons. Among those was to be closer to Mike Sauer’s Red Willow Vineyard in Mount Adams foothills. Sauer’s Chapel Block is considered the historic epicenter for Syrah in Washington, and O’Reilly took his top 16 barrels (seven of which were new French oak) from this historically hot vintage to create this bottling. The nose is reminiscent of Bruce’s Candy Kitchen with hints of caramel corn and Marionberry taffy, joined by plum and violets. It’s a delicious and plush drink of sweet brambleberries, finished with juicy acidity, restrained tannins and toast.
Rating: Excellent
Production: 390 cases
Alcohol: 14.1%
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