2008 La Cote Rousse Syrah

The 2008 Syrah La Cote Rousse was sourced from the Ciel du Cheval and Kiona Vineyards in the Red Mountain AVA and was aged for 12 months in 50% new French oak. A bit lighter in color but with more mineral and earth notes as well as meaty blue and black fruit aromas, on the palate it is more structured (something for which Red Mountain fruit is noted) but the tannins are nicely integrated behind layers of concentrated, spicy fruit. This lengthy offering will benefit from 5-7 years of additional cellaring and should easily see its 20th birthday in fine form. Bob Betz, MW, and his family continue to make some of Washington’s finest wine. Betz’s attention to detail is legendary; everything is done for a reason. He sources great fruit, oversees the farming, and his fine-tuned palate ensures the correct call on all the blends. Tel. (425) 861-9823; www.betzfamilywinery.com

From the Ciel du Cheval and Scott Williams vineyards in the Red Mountain AVA, the 2008 Betz Family Syrah La Côte Rousse is 100% Syrah that is completely destemmed. The wine offers superb aromatics of dark, smoky fruits, spice, meat and copious crushed stone and minerals. Like Bob’s other ‘08s, the wine shows superb clarity and purity to the fruit. The palate is medium to full bodied with an overall elegant, balanced character and masses of fine grained, silky tannin on the finish. Give this a handful of years in the cellar and then drink over the following 10 to 15.