SHOP / 2020 Red Willow Syrah
Varietal
100% Syrah
Appellation
Yakima Valley AVA
Aging
Drink Now or Age 5 to 12 Years
Vineyard
Red Willow
2020 Red Willow Syrah
Yakima Valley AVA
The 2020 vintage marked our first opportunity to work with Syrah from Red Willow Vineyard, home to Washington’s original 1986 planting. While we considered a separate bottling, blending it with the 2000 planting from the same site created a more complete wine. The 1986 block offers smoked meats, green peppercorn, and pipe tobacco with palate richness, while the 2000 adds red plum, wild boysenberry, and vibrant freshness. A silky structure carries through to a long finish. Enjoy its depth now or cellar confidently for 12–15 years.
95 Points
— James Suckling
95 Points
This has aromas of blackberries, graphite, black olives, cherry stones and violets. Fragrant and flavorful with a full body and firm, polished tannins. Delicious salty undertones to the black fruit. Long, too. Drink or hold.
April 2023
Additional Scores:
93
Robert Parker
92
Wine Enthusiast
92
Jeb Dunnuck
Behind the Wine
2020 Red Willow Syrah
Nowhere on earth does the venerable Syrah grapevine feel more at home than in the arid and sun-drenched Yakima Valley of Washington State. Both the sandy loam soils and cool nights contribute to crafting a wine with incredible generosity of flavors and spices, qualities that elevate Syrah into an unparalleled category.
Vineyards
One of the oldest in Washington, Red Willow holds the distinction of pioneering Syrah for the region. Working with MW David Lake, who consulted for us in the winery’s formative years, Syrah was planted at the site in the 1970s.
Winemaking
Cold soaked 24 hours, fermented on skin 14-19 days, partial whole-cluster, aged 20 months in 100% French oak (33% new).