Really Good Stuff.
This week I enjoyed a bottle of Blacksmith Syrah, and the smile is still on my face. Blacksmith is made by winemaker Marie-Eve Gilla of Forgeron Cellars in Walla Walla, Washington. Blacksmith is a second label by Forgeron and priced at half the price of their 2008 Forgeron Syrah. Go find this wine. Now.
I've seen a lot of discussion on wine blogs questioning which varietals become the best examples of Washington wine. Washington winemakers work with many different varietals and they make fantastic wine from Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo, Riesling, Chardonnay, Semillon, etc. But, if you were to ask me this week I'd answer, “Syrah” yes, yes, yes. Syrah is the varietal of Washington.
Everything good about Washington Syrah can be found in a bottle of 2009 Blacksmith Syrah.
Quote me on that.
This wine was immediately enjoyable when I removed the cork. It had a captivating deep color which enticed and beckoned. Swirling the wine around, I wanted to fall into my wine glass as layers of aroma enveloped me. My nose was deep in the shifting aromas of candied dark fruit, smoke, leather, taffy, and cola, wrapped in the perfume of violets. This wine seduced me. A medium bodied wine, it was almost crisp and left a gentle tingle on my tongue and teeth. It was smooth with moderate tannin, and a satisfying finish of cola, leather and dark fruit. This wine is very focused and balanced with a heady nose. Big like.
I enjoyed this wine with a dinner of grilled King Crab legs, rib-eye and steamed Brussel sprouts. The smokiness of the grilled food worked well with this wine. But the 2009 Blacksmith needed no food. After dinner I relaxed and contemplated the delights of Blacksmith Syrah. This is a buy me drink me wine. I saved a glass of wine for the next day, but the amazing aromas and the delicious finish had faded. Kudos to Marie-Eve Gilla, she has crafted a most enjoyable wine at an accessible price. Go discover how fantastic Washington Syrah can truly be.
Blacksmith Syrah is available direct from the winery for $15. I found one bottle in town on sale for $14. Highly Recommended.
Release Info:
Blend: 94% Syrah, 6% Petite Sirah
Appelation: Columbia Valley
Vineyards: Boushey (Rattlesnake Hills); Lewis & Marcoux (Yakima Valley); Les Collines & Ash Hollow (Walla Walla Valley); Goose Ridge (Columbia Valley)
Bottled August 31, 2011
ABV 14.4%
Closure: Real Cork
Forgeron is the French word for blacksmith. Forgeron Cellars winery and tasting room is located on the former site of a blacksmith shop. The word "Forgeron" also has a slightly different meaning in French, referring to artisans who build with their hands combining experience with an extensive knowledge of their trade.
www.forgeroncellars.com
33 W Birch Street
Walla Walla, WA 99362
Phone: 509.522.9463
Syrah Resources:
This week I enjoyed a bottle of Blacksmith Syrah, and the smile is still on my face. Blacksmith is made by winemaker Marie-Eve Gilla of Forgeron Cellars in Walla Walla, Washington. Blacksmith is a second label by Forgeron and priced at half the price of their 2008 Forgeron Syrah. Go find this wine. Now.
I've seen a lot of discussion on wine blogs questioning which varietals become the best examples of Washington wine. Washington winemakers work with many different varietals and they make fantastic wine from Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo, Riesling, Chardonnay, Semillon, etc. But, if you were to ask me this week I'd answer, “Syrah” yes, yes, yes. Syrah is the varietal of Washington.
 |
| 2009 Blacksmith Syrah - I'm accepting gifts of this wine. |
Quote me on that.
This wine was immediately enjoyable when I removed the cork. It had a captivating deep color which enticed and beckoned. Swirling the wine around, I wanted to fall into my wine glass as layers of aroma enveloped me. My nose was deep in the shifting aromas of candied dark fruit, smoke, leather, taffy, and cola, wrapped in the perfume of violets. This wine seduced me. A medium bodied wine, it was almost crisp and left a gentle tingle on my tongue and teeth. It was smooth with moderate tannin, and a satisfying finish of cola, leather and dark fruit. This wine is very focused and balanced with a heady nose. Big like.
I enjoyed this wine with a dinner of grilled King Crab legs, rib-eye and steamed Brussel sprouts. The smokiness of the grilled food worked well with this wine. But the 2009 Blacksmith needed no food. After dinner I relaxed and contemplated the delights of Blacksmith Syrah. This is a buy me drink me wine. I saved a glass of wine for the next day, but the amazing aromas and the delicious finish had faded. Kudos to Marie-Eve Gilla, she has crafted a most enjoyable wine at an accessible price. Go discover how fantastic Washington Syrah can truly be.
Blacksmith Syrah is available direct from the winery for $15. I found one bottle in town on sale for $14. Highly Recommended.
Release Info:
Blend: 94% Syrah, 6% Petite Sirah
Appelation: Columbia Valley
Vineyards: Boushey (Rattlesnake Hills); Lewis & Marcoux (Yakima Valley); Les Collines & Ash Hollow (Walla Walla Valley); Goose Ridge (Columbia Valley)
Bottled August 31, 2011
ABV 14.4%
Closure: Real Cork
Forgeron is the French word for blacksmith. Forgeron Cellars winery and tasting room is located on the former site of a blacksmith shop. The word "Forgeron" also has a slightly different meaning in French, referring to artisans who build with their hands combining experience with an extensive knowledge of their trade.
www.forgeroncellars.com
33 W Birch Street
Walla Walla, WA 99362
Phone: 509.522.9463
Syrah Resources:
- If you would like to learn more about Washington Syrah, I recently enjoyed an article on the blog Wine Folly, Getting to Know Washington Syrah.
- My article for the blog Wine'd Up, Discover Washington Syrah.