Tamarack Cellars 2013 Firehouse Red, Columbia Valley, $18
When Walla Walla vintner Ron Coleman successfully included Syrah in his proprietary blend, Tamarack Cellars helped sparked a trend in the Pacific Northwest. From this hot vintage, it nearly leads the 11-piece collection, closely following Cabernet Sauvignon (25%), Syrah (24%), Merlot (22%), Cabernet Franc (12%), Sangiovese (7%), Petit Verdot (3%), Grenache (3%), Counoise, Mourvèdre, Malbec and Cinsault. Coleman and Oregon native Danny Gordon, his winemaker for 15 years, compile the melange after each lot spends a year as part of a barrel program of 40% new oak. It remains one of the region’s most popular entries on restaurant wine lists, and this latest version carries a theme of dusty oak, ripe raspberry, red currant, plum and milk chocolate. The structure brings a focused entry, a touch of sweet blueberry on the midpalate and sandy tannins that blossom into a finish of cherry skins and dark chocolate.
Rating: Recommended
Production: 20,000 cases
Alcohol: 13.9%
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