2010 Rotie Swordfight

Happy Saturday!  After a beautiful day yesterday, today was cold and rainy, I guess you just can't win them all.  But at least it's Saturday, and not only that, it's the first Saturday of the month, which makes it Cellar Saturday!  It's that lovely day when I reach deep into the cellar for something at least a decade in the making, and tonight it's a real treat, from Rotie Cellars, one of the best makers of Rhone style blends in the Walla Walla Valley.  The 2010 Swordfight is a blend of Syrah (75%) and Mourvedre (25%) from Washington state.  So let's see how this wine has matured!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, typical of the heavy hand of Syrah in the blend.  The nose presents aromas of tart cherry, green grass  and a hint of cassis, all combining to create an expectation of a rich taste experience.  The taste is a rush of cool, rich, ripe fruit, with a rush of blackberry, plum and marionberry that envelops the palate before transitioning to some wonderful earthy notes of tar and tobacco midpalate.  The tannins are vibrant and seductive, ushering you in to a wonderfully smooth dry finish with a reprise of tart cherry at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9.5, as it just confirms what experts the winemakers at Rotie are at making the blends of southern France.  This wine would pair well with a variety of Mediterranean dishes, from pasta and lighter fish, to heartier steaks and chops.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled porterhouse with some bacon roasted white asparagus and cipollini onions.  Cheers!