2017 Betz Family Syrah Domaine de Pierres

The 2017 Syrah Domaine de Pierres is focused on the nose, with a meaty core surrounded by juicy red and black fruit aromas. Full-bodied on the palate, the wine is strict and has a rigidity about it that tells of the rocky soils where the vines grow. There is also a soft peppered-salami note here that drinks nicely with the robust nature of the Syrah, with its structured black pepper flavors and smoky meat, and it ends with a long, thoughtful finish. This Syrah should age gracefully, as it has big brooding shoulders to go the distance in your cellar. Only 150 cases made.

This is fermented with 100% whole clusters and has a lacy, ethereal feel to the nose and palate. The fruit is in the red-cherry zone with plenty of sappy, herbal nuances, as well as floral notes and a swathe of spiced meat. Sweet raspberry, red-plum and mulberry flavors are nicely arrayed in layered, sheet-like tannins. Drink across the next eight years.

A new wine from a vineyard purchased in 2014 (it was planted in 2006), the 2017 Syrah Domaine de Pierres wasn’t destemmed and spent 13 months in French oak. This thrilling Syrah offers a massive bouquet of black olives, tapenade, smoked black fruits, earth, and leather. Complex, full-bodied, and voluptuous, it’s a ripe yet balanced effort that shows classic Rocks character. Drink it any time over the coming decade. The Griessel Family and winemaker Louis Skinner, with plenty of help from Bob Betz, continue to keep this estate near the top of the hierarchy in Washington, as well as all of the United States. Skinner commented that while 2017 was a hot vintage, smoke from massive fires in California and Oregon blocked a portion of the UV light which kept temperatures down, slowed ripening and delayed harvest. The result was good of hang time with the wines still showing sunny, perfumed characters. The 2016 Bordeaux variety releases showed beautifully.