2012 In the Rocks Syrah

The 2012 Syrah In the Rocks, which incorporates 2% Viognier, offers flat-out great notes of lavender, smoked meats, olive, licorice, violets, barbecue smoke and ample dark, plummy fruit. Full-bodied, sexy, voluptuous and seamless, it’s a hedonistic beauty that has classic Syrah characteristics with a slight Walla Walla slant. Give it 2-3 years and drink it through 2027.<br><br>Both 2012 and 2013 are great vintage for Matt Reynvaan, and this estate continues to produce thrillingly perfumed, complex and layered wines that compete with the best wines in Washington. They continue to produce more wines from the Foothills in the Sun vineyard, which is located just around the estate. The terroir here is relatively nondescript, yet the elevation is such that the grapes are right at the edge of perfect ripeness. All of the wines from this vineyard have cooler-climate, lively and complex characters, which is distinctly different from the classic Rocks expression found in their releases from the In The Rocks vineyard. I was slightly less impressed with the whites here, and they're shifted much more toward the fresher, more acid-driven style. Nevertheless, 2013 was difficult for the white. A cuvee readers need to check out is the new Cabernet, The Classic, which comes from their vineyard in the rocks. It's a killer bottle of wine.

The 2012 Syrah In the Rocks, which incorporates 2% Viognier, offers flat-out great notes of lavender, smoked meats, olive, licorice, violets, barbecue smoke and ample dark, plummy fruit. Full-bodied, sexy, voluptuous and seamless, it’s a hedonistic beauty that has classic Syrah characteristics with a slight Walla Walla slant. Give it 2-3 years and drink it through 2027.

Including just a smidge (2%) of Viognier in 2012, the 2012 In The Rocks gives up lovely aromas and flavors of violets, wild flowers, smoke and assorted purple-styled fruits to go with a chewy, rich and beautifully textured profile on the palate. Staying remarkably fresh and elegant, it should be enjoyable on release and shine over the following decade or so. The young Matt Reynvaan continues to produce some of the most exotic, unique and exciting wines in Washington. Pulling grapes from The Rocks region of Walla Walla, as well as his recently planted Foothills in the Sun vineyard, which is located around the estate, on the eastern side of Walla Walla, he produces a number of cuvees with varying degrees of co-fermentation with white grapes. In addition, he produces a small amount of rich, full throttle whites that show the potential for these Rhone whites in Washington. Going forward, there are two new cuvees starting in 2012. First is the Syrah In the Hills, which is described by Matt as his take on Cote Rotie, with the Syrah not only being co-fermented with Viognier, but also seeing less aggressive pump overs and a lighter touch in the winery. The second new cuvee is the Cabernet Sauvignon based The Classic, which shows plenty of polish as well as depth. Both are serious additions to an already stacked lineup. Receiving consulting help from Christophe Baron, it’s no surprise that his Syrahs from the Rock Region of Walla Walla bare a strong resemblance to the Cayuse releases. All of these wines have distinctive, individual characters and are highly recommend. Looking at the 2012s here, all of the wines are drop dead gorgeous and show the purity and freshness that’s the hallmark of this vintage. Both cuvees from the Foothills in the Sun vineyard had already been bottled, while the releases from the Rocks Region were still in barrel. Tel. (509) 525-3462; www.reynvaanfamilyvineyards.com