A little hazy (unfiltered), bright, medium intensity, bright purple color. Clean on the nose, medium intensity aromas of black fruit, moss, cedar, black pepper, spice, stewed black cherries, oak, and smoke. Dry, medium body, medium tannin, medium-high acidity. Flavors of red and black fruit, Bing cherry, red fruit, strawberry, raspberry
What made 2009 a special vintage in Horse Heaven Hills, where you sourced your Syrah, or for Helioterra in particular? My Syrah came from Coyote Canyon Vineyard, which is farmed by Mike Andrews. Mike and his crew are amazing farmers with generations of experience farming in Central Washington. 2009 was
What made 2010 a special vintage in the Willamette Valley? I think that 2010 will prove to be a very special vintage for the northern Willamette Valley in particular. The summer was fairly mild and we had a long lovely Indian summer. The early weeks of October were surprisingly dry
Greg Horton is a freelance writer and professor who lives in Oklahoma City. He writes about food, wine, politics, and religion.
Clear, medium-deep intensity lemon yellow. Clean on the nose with heady aromas of sweet cooked apples, macerated pineapple, vanilla, clove, and candied ginger. Medium-dry on the palate with full body and slight residual sugar. Medium alcohol, medium acidity, rich texture, with lush—almost over the top—flavors. Stewed yellow apples, spiced Turkish
This has a clear, bright, ruby red color. A clean nose has light oak, cherry, strawberry, and cola aromas. It is medium dry with low tannins and medium-low acidity, smooth on the palate with flavors of red fruit, cranberry, cola, and hazelnut. Lactic notes on the finish were offensive on
Clear, medium intensity ruby with purple. Aromas of violet, bell pepper, dark fruits, and cedar. Dry on the palate with medium-high acidity, medium-full body, and light tannin. Flavors of cooked blackberry, hickory, molasses, and smoke. Pair with a hearty dish like chili. Recommended. RR WHO: Carmen WHAT: Carmenère WHERE: Apalta,
Clear, medium intensity straw yellow. Medium-light aromas of yellow apple, apricot, fresh pear, light florals, and candied lemon. Semi-sweet on the palate with medium-low acidity, medium body and flavors of apple, peach, pear, and honey. A light finish. Not “elegant”-read more-