Walla Wallop
Discover Washington State's powerhouse Syrah
Located near the border of Oregon, Walla Walla, Washington, is a surprising wine destination to some. But one grape, Syrah, has put it on the map.
Due to the area's geography, multilayered soil and climate, Walla Walla wineries are able to let the grapes to remain on the vine longer than most. This extra hang time allows the grape to intensify and develop more complexity, which creates wines that are more similar to those produced in the Northern Rhone than jammy Australian Shiraz, which is made from the same grape.
Walla Walla Syrahs have herbaceous and mineral qualities that underlie their intense and powerful dark fruit. But the boldness is balanced by elegance and finesse, with a food-friendly dose of acidity. They please both those yearning for the brawn of a Cabernet Sauvignon and those who favor the lean elegance of a Pinot Noir.
Many of the best Walla Walla Syrahs come from small, hard-to-find producers, but you're more likely to encounter these three favorites at your best local wine shop:
2007 L'Ecole No. 41 Seven Hills Vineyard Estate Syrah ($32) Powerful yet seductive in a silky way, this wine has candied spice and blackberry flavors (lecole.com).
2006 K Vintners Cougar Hills Syrah ($57) Black fruit flavors combine with a savory character to give this knockout wine a deep, deep complexity (2020wines.com).
2006 Amavi Cellars Walla Walla Valley Syrah ($26) An earthier option with enticing cedar notes and underlying flavors of dark chocolate (winechateau.com).
