• French oak
• Chocolate
• Cinnamon
• Lingering finish

"This wine is brooding, with aromas of dark cherry and game. The palate boasts bold fruit and savory flavors along with slightly bunched-up tannins" Wine Enthusiast, Aug 2017

Dark purple, almost black color. Dried fig and blueberry compote. Chocolate cherry, black licorice and cinnamon spice. Just a hint smoke, leather and cocoa make for an interesting nose that you could smell for hours. The palate is rich and lush with flavors of earthy cocoa, blueberry pie and a pinch of cinnamon. The finish is long and very well structured. The Syrah from Hedges continues to make interesting and complex wines with a wonderful balance of concentration and immediate drinkability.

With their 31st vintage now in barrel, Tom and Anne-Marie Hedges can look back at their pioneering efforts to help establish the modern Washington State wine industry, and specifically their efforts in establishing the renowned Red Mountain American Viticultural Area. Beginning as negociants selling their first Hedges branded Columbia Valley wine to the Swedish government, the Hedges quickly realized the importance of site for producing great wines, and purchased a fifty-acre parcel on the dusty southwest slope of Red Mountain, a barely known growing region at the time. More than two decades later, Hedges Estate Vineyard, Bel'Villa Vineyard, Les Gosses Vineyard, Magdalena and Rockwell Brown vineyards, comprising about 120 acres on Red Mountain, are the heart of Hedges Family winemaking.

Farmers first, and winemakers second, the Hedges family believes there is nothing more important than expressing the characteristics of
specific vineyards, of capturing Terroir. Anne-Marie grew up in Champagne, France, and is no doubt the messenger of these beliefs, bringing the philosophies of the old world to her new home in eastern Washington State. For more than a decade, the Hedges have chosen not to have their wines scored using numerical values, as they believe this would hinder their pursuit of making wines of soul and truth.

This year was a warm growing season in Washington, with above-average temperatures throughout spring and summer and notably warmer-than-average nighttime temperatures. A dramatic mid-September drop in temperatures extended harvest into early November. Many growers and winemakers reported lower acidities, sometimes markedly so, and in some cases, higher sugar levels.

Grapes are from Les Gosses Vineyard, which is in the Red Mountain AVA, and has both the Joseph Phelps and Tablas Creek clones. The wine was destemmed and partially crushed into stainless steel fermenters where it was pumped over twice daily until desired tannin extraction was achieved. It was then pressed to barrels where it underwent malo-lactic fermentation, then racked off lees and 100% barrel-aged for 11 months in 40% new American and French oak.

This wine, like other Red Mountain wines, is best now with food, but will age well, probably peaking in 5 years but still very drinkable at 10 years old. 

Food Pairing: Perfect with roast lamb & a rich, creamy potato gratin.