The 2018 'Foothills Reserve' Syrah was one of the most compelling wines from the 2018 Vintage in Washington. Matt Reynvaan knocked it out of the park with this arresting, stop-you-in-your-tracks, wine. The nose brought me back to walking into a basement New York bourbon bar, where you are transported to a different place and time. In the glass, the wine presents itself with a gorgeous, deep ruby color. The nose instantly reminded me of a fine men’s cologne of sandalwood, tobacco leaf, and ground nutmeg followed by fruit characteristics of fresh blackberry, orange zest, grapefruit bitters with secondary aromas of ox blood and iron. The palate is otherworldly and hard to describe in words - but I’m going to try. Fresh black plum, blueberry compote, grapefruit pith compose the primary fruit flavors. Smoked beef brisket, green olive tapenade, dried portobello mushroom form the secondary palate with just a touch of freshly laid asphalt and Himalayan sea salt balancing out the finish. This wine is a dichotomy in wine tasting for me - I expected this to be overpowering and bold. but it very much expresses itself in a light and graceful way on the palate. If you love Syrah from anywhere in the world, you must do yourself a favor and seek out this bottle. It drinks beautifully now, but give it another year or two for the best experience. This was my OMG Washington Syrah from the 2018 vintage, highly recommended.
| Rating | Value | Drink |
|---|
| 98 |
$85 |
2021-2035 |
| Country | Region | Appellation |
|---|
| United States |
Washington |
Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley |
| Editor | Issue | Importer |
|---|
| J. Young |
March, 2021 |
|
