One of the marvels of the Pacific Northwest wine industry is Mark Ryan McNeilly, whose business acumen syncs up with his ability to make some of the region’s most acclaimed wines under myriad successful labels while seeming never losing focus. Lu + Oly Cellars — named for daughters Lucia and Olivia — is one of the handful of sister labels to Mark Ryan Winery, and in this case, McNeilly collaborates with the Wahluke Wine Co., in Mattawa for this Syrah-driven rosé that’s making rapidly become one of the Northwest’s most successful examples. For the label, McNeilly commissioned Seattle tattoo artist/illustrator Kyler Martz, and the blend of varieties — Syrah (77%) and Sangiovese (23%) — makes sense because they each excel as rosé in Washington. And yet there’s a clean, Pinot Gris-ish nose that hints at seashells, mango, peaches and cream. On the palate, it’s vibrant, almost racy with its characteristics of nectarine and pink strawberry. Complexity shows in the honeydew melon midpalate that leads to a calcareous quality before the remarkable finish plum skins and Key lime finish. Well-structured from front to back, it’s the full ticket rosé.
Rating: Outstanding! 94 points
Production: 8,000 cases
Alcohol 13%
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