2014 Helix Syrah

Happy Sunday!  I've heard there's some sort of awards program on television tonight, but I can't be bothered with that when there is wonderful Washington wine to drink!  All day we've had these tremendous winds, so even though it's not nearly as cold as it was at the end of January, you just feel colder hearing the wind howling outside your windows.  So when it's cold, what could be better than a nice Syrah?  Tonight I've opened a bottle from a recent wine club shipment from Reininger, the 2014 Helix Syrah, a 100% Syrah from the Phinney Hill Vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills AVA. So let's see if this wine can warm me up this evening!

The wine is a beautiful deep inky color, with a garnet hue along the edges.  The nose is a lovely combination of earthy peat, smoke and a bit of mushroom over some ripe black fruit and a touch of lilac.  The taste is just divine, with a rush of ripe blackberry and blueberry that rushes over your palate as the thick, chewy mouthfeel just washes over you.  This is the type of wine you just want to ruminate over for a while, as the ripe black fruit flavors subside, giving rise to some white pepper spice and a reprice of blueberry and cassis.  The tannins are expertly crafted to provide a thick and hearty feel of the wine as you enjoy the long, smooth finish that just lingers on your palate.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it has to be one of my favorite examples of the varietal, and in fact, might by my favorite Helix wine ever!  This wine is perfect for a wintry evening and would be ideal with a broad range of dishes, from pizza to barbecue to steaks, but tonight I am enjoying this wine with a classic winter comfort dinner of tuna noodle casserole, just like my mom used to make.  Cheers!