Definitely a winery worth watching, Truth Teller and owner/winemaker Chris Loeliger recently won best Syrah with his Cynic at this winter’s Savor NW Wine Awards judging on the Oregon Coast. His Right Bank Bordeaux-style blend is the flagship bottling for his Woodinville winery, and the blend of Merlot (44%), Cabernet Franc (30%), Cabernet Sauvignon (15%), Malbec (7%) and Petit Verdot is built upon the shoulders of two Red Mountain sites — MonteScarlatto and the Williams family’s Heart of the Hill near Col Solare. It gets an important injection from Elephant Mountain in the Rattlesnake Hills, too. The lots were barrel-aged separately, ranging from 18 to 21 months in 38% new French oak, and that wood imparts hints of allspice and nutmeg with plum, blackberry, milk chocolate and mint filling in. Black currant and plum skin flavors create a sturdy yet balanced structure.
Rating: Excellent
Production: 154 cases
Alcohol: 14.8%
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