Item #292929
Production 4,380 cases
Washington’s Columbia Valley has emerged as one of the finest sites for
production of American Syrah. With low rainfall, cloudless skies and warm
summer temperatures, the Columbia Valley creates complete and complex
wines. This Kirkland Signature 2005 Columbia Valley Syrah is a blend of
specific vineyards spread throughout the Columbia Valley appellation. The warmer vineyards in
the Wahluke Slope appellation make up two-thirds of the blend and provide dense, lush black fruit character, while
a cooler vineyard in the Yakima Valley appellation provides essential notes of sweet smoke and spice. The 2005
vintage in Washington rates as one of the best in decades; from spring bud break to autumn harvest the season
was balanced and temperate.
After harvest and warm fermentation the wine was aged in a combination
of French and American oak barrels for 17 months, rounding out and
enhancing the fruit’s charming character. Bob Betz, Master of Wine, a
veteran Washington winemaker acclaimed for his compelling Syrahs,
oversaw winemaking and blending. The Betz Family Syrahs have
constantly achieved high marks from The Wine Spectator Magazine.
This Kirkland Signature Washington Syrah is dark opaque and
deeply pigmented, with aromas of smoke, pepper, blackberry and
vanilla. It is a dense, mouth-filling, lush black fruit-focused wine with
fully integrated ripe tannins from sun-ripened grape skins, fruit
and seasoned oak. From the attack through mid-palate and on to
the finish, this wine has a seamless feel driven by the sweet fruit
of black cherries and balanced acidity. Excellent now or consider
the added nuance that two to three years of bottle age will add.
100% Columbia Valley Syrah, 68% Wahluke Slope, 32% Yakima
Alcohol 14.5%
