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Columbia Crest 2012 Grand Estates Red Blend, Columbia Valley, $12
Best Buy! Syrah continues to make a comeback as a standalone varietal wine, but a growing number of winemakers in Washington state are putting it to great use as a blending component. Winemaker Juan Muñoz Oca and his team at Columbia Crest provide a superb example with this, a blend of Syrah (57%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (25%) that also receives a healthy boost from Viognier (9%) and Merlot. The 16 months in 25 percent new oak leads to aromas of ripe plum, dark blueberry, milk chocolate and vanilla, followed by matching flavors that also pick up blackberry. There’s attractive sweetness to the fruit that carries into a finish of white chocolate and vanilla bean.
Rating: Outstanding!
Production: 15,500 cases
Alcohol: 13.5%
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