Great Syrah in the Oregon?  Warm Climate Varietals are Oregon’s Hottest New Wines

Even great Pinot Noir winemakers need a break from the finicky, noble grape once in awhile.  The latest-greatest trend we've noticed in Oregon is some of it's top winemakers (Ken Wright, Tony Rynders, Lynn Penner-Ash and Laurent Montalieu) are straying from the Willamette Valley, experimenting with "warm climate" varietals from Southern and Eastern Oregon --- the warm climate vineyards of the Pacific Northwest have become outright stars in the genre.  Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot and especially Syrah are thriving in the tiny but perfect climates that love them. These great results come from individuals who have fought off every possible blow nature has provided. The deep winter freezes that arrive every eight years or so to the Eastern Washington vineyards have not deterred these growers. Each time these cold fronts arrive and take the vines back to the ground, these determined growers fight back and start from square one. Each time a late spring frost threatens the vines in the Rogue, the growers turn on the sprinklers, rev up the wind machines and call in the helicopters to save their crop. It’s a crazy dance with nature, but they continue the struggle because they know it’s worth it...

 

Rockblock Cellars:  The owners of Domaine Serene couldn’t help but notice their talented winemaker Tony Rynders had a passion for syrah.  Giving him their blessing, he started the Rockblock label in 1999 with the sole focus of producing vineyard designate Oregon Syrah, focusing on the warmer areas of Oregon in the south and east where Syrah can achieve maximum expression of character. The name Rockblock was chosen to reinforce the concept that the most profound expressions of Syrah are grown in areas where the soils are nutrient poor and often “rocky”. All of the Syrah vineyards Tony works with have these intense and distinctive characteristics.

Rockblock Syrah, Del Rio 2002

Classic Syrah aromas of smoked meat, black cherry, flint, leather, cedar, cassis, black pepper and mint. The palate displays wild black cherry, anise, earth, dark chocolate and leather. Slightly meaty, with good weight and dusty tannins. Sourced entirely from Del Rio Vineyard in the Rogue Valley appellation of southern Oregon, just north of Medford, overlooking the Rogue River. The vineyard is planted to the Noir clone on 101-14 and SO4 rootstocks. Soils are rocky clay loam, very well drained and planted 1088 vines per acre. Yields were 2.55 tons/acre. Aged 16 months, primarily in French oak. Approximately 61% of the barrels were new.  997 Cases Produced.

 

 

Tyrus Evan (Ken Wright) Syrah “Del Rio” ‘03

Even great Pinot Noir winemakers need a break from the finicky, noble grape once in awhile.  The latest-greatest trend we've noticed in Oregon is some of it's top winemakers (Ken Wright, Tony Rynders, Lynn Penner-Ash and Laurent Montalieu) are straying from the Willamette Valley, experimenting with "warm climate" varietals from Southern and Eastern Oregon --- the warm climate vineyards of the Pacific Northwest have become outright stars in the genre.  Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot and especially Syrah are thriving in the tiny but perfect climates that love them. These great results come from individuals who have fought off every possible blow nature has provided. Each time a late spring frost threatens the vines in the Rogue, the growers turn on the sprinklers, rev up the wind machines and call in the helicopters to save their crop. It’s a crazy dance with nature, but they continue the struggle because they know it’s worth it. This Syrah is from the famed Del Rio Vineyard in Oregon's Rogue Valley and reveals aromas of sweet fruit, vanilla and chocolate tort. The flavors are a focused mix of dark, mouth-filling berries with a lingering finish.