Perhaps the best region in the Pacific Northwest for a winemaker to develop an Aussie-style Shiraz would be Washington’s Wahluke Slope. Woodinville boutique producer Tim Armstrong goes into Riverbend Vineyard and pays homage to James Busby, the Scot credited with first establishing vineyards Down Under in the 1830s. Armstrong’s approach includes the favoring of American oak barrels, which help him build the aromas of dark toast and chocolate with Marionberry and blueberry, menthol and mint. A generous and jammy entry of blackberry and blueberry mixes with chocolate-covered pomegranate on the midpalate, leading to the round and rich finish that neatly tucks the tannins into the back with dark toast. Fortunately, production has been doubled over the 2012 vintage.
Rating: Excellent
Production: 96 cases
Alcohol: 14.1%
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