Chris Hunter now crafts the wines for his in-laws on Whidbey Island, and he’s done a marvelous job for David Ott and Diane Kaufman, particularly with red Rhône varieties. That he earned a gold medal from Wine Press Northwest earlier this year for a 2016 Elephant Mountain Vineyard Syrah helps explain the excellence he showed here with Petite Sirah from this Williams family planting not far from historic Kiona Vineyard. Aromas of black cherry, white pepper and clove swirl into bright flavors of Marionberry and blueberry that exhibit the juiciness — but not the cheek-punching tannin — of Petite Sirah.
Rating: Excellent
Production: 120 cases
Alcohol: 14.6%
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