Buried Cane 2011 Heartwood Red Wine, Columbia Valley, $25
Walla Walla winemaker Brian Rudin, now at Duckhorn’s Red Mountain project, had fun this GSM-style creation for the Middleton family that goes beyond the standard with Syrah (54%) co-fermented with Viognier (4%) and blended with Cinsault (15%), Mourvèdre (14%), Grenache (7%) and Counoise (6%). The vineyard sources are star-studded with contributions from Alder Ridge, Gamache, StoneTree, Wallula and the Middleton family’s Southwind site near Milton-Freewater, Ore. Aromas of dusty blueberry, blackberry, plum skin, dark chocolate and cured meat are matched on the palate within a very balanced structure that’s capped by a juicy finish.
Rating: Excellent
Production: 256 cases
Alcohol: 14.3%
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