2011 Reininger Walla Walla Valley Syrah

Happy Sunday, the weekend is almost over, but here is the big news, I am just a little over a week away from vacation!  I will be spending 10 days driving an RV across the country to Walla Walla, Washington to visit some wonderful wine friends and taste some fantastic wines during this Washington Wine Month, so be prepared, this will be fun!  But in the meantime, I couldn't wait to get to Washington, so I've decided to open a bottle of 2011 Reininger Walla Walla Valley Syrah, which must have been a wine club selection at some point, I just don't remember when!  This particular wine is 100% syrah from the Pepper Bridge and Seven Hills Vineyards.

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, with an almost inky blackness at the center, classic Syrah.  The nose presents a refreshing combination or ripe berries and floral notes, raspberry, cassis and lavender and some subdued spice notes of white pepper.  The taste is classic old school Syrah, with some dark fruit flavors up front, blackberry, ripe cherry that transition to some earthy notes of forest floor and spicy white pepper.  The fine tannins beautifully support the long, smooth and very dry finish that seems to last a minute or more.

Overall I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, it's been a while since I've tasted a pure Syrah this lovely.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled Angus New York Strip along with grilled leeks and asparagus.  The fruit and spice are a perfect complement to the steak and leeks, while the earthy notes are a great balance for the earthy flavor of the asparagus.  Cheers!