2010 Reynvaan Family Syrah The Contender
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Tasting notes
(includes 4% marsanne): Good deep red. Initially subdued nose opened with air to show varietally accurate scents of raspberry, woodsmoke, game and brown spices. Sweet, plush and impressively deep, with an impression of baby fat leavened by firm acidity and a saline underpinning. The red fruit and game flavors carry well on the rising, very long finish, which features building, seamless tannins.
Critic scores
Average Score
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Jeb Dunnuck, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
Even richer, the 2010 Syrah The Contender has a serious, deep and layered profile with notions of blackberry, smoked plums, ground pepper, big minerality, lavender and hints of gamey beef all emerging from the glass. These characteristics carry over to the palate where the wine is full-bodied, beautifully polished, concentrated and structured. Showing masses of finely honed tannin on the finish, this knockout effort will evolve gracefully for 12-15+ years or more. Drink 2015-2027. Made by Matt Reynvaan, with consulting help from Christophe Baron of Cayuse, these impeccably made wines deliver unique, perfumed and complex profiles that could come from nowhere else than the Walla Walla Valley. In addition, their ability to deliver stunning richness and depth, with no apparent weight, puts them up near the top of the Washington State hierarchy. Going forward, the plan is to produce three co-fermented reds and two pure Syrahs: the Unnamed Syrah co-fermented with Grenache Blanc; the In The Rocks co-fermented with Viognier; the Contender co-fermented with Marsanne; and both the Foothills Reserve and Stonessence made from 100% Syrah. In addition to these brilliant reds, I was blown away by their whites and they are easily the most exciting white wines I was able to taste from the state. Don’t miss these wines! Tel. (509) 525-3462; www.reynvaanfamilyvineyards.com