Wine of the Day: Owen Roe Chapel Block Syrah 2013 5-24-16

owenroesrahOwen Roe Red Willow Vineyard Chapel Block Syrah, Yakima Valley 2013 750ML ($59.95) Buy Now: $49 special

This new vintage of the Chapel Block Syrah from the Red Willow vineyard shows poise and balance.  There are overtones of dark chocolate and dark roast coffee layered with sweet spices and a hint of new leather on the finish.  Unabashedly New World, the palate offers ripe berry and floral notes with a lingering chocolate taste.  It has an excellent grippy texture to keep the rich body in check.  I would cellar for at least 2-3 years before opening, though ideally this baby could go for 7-10.  -Suzy

Winery note: “Aged in 44% new oak (100% French) for nearly 14 months.  The blend is comprised of 100% Red Willow Syrah from both East and West facing slopes, from the Yakima Valley AVA.”

Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 92 points “Bright medium ruby. Musky, earthy aromas of raspberry, roasted strawberry, smoked meat and charred oak. Fat, sweet and deep, with good spicy lift to the very ripe flavors of plum, blueberry, dark chocolate and spices. A very rich, tactile Syrah with sexy sweetness but plenty of ripe, dusty tannins to support a graceful evolution in bottle. Ultimately richer than the Union Gap Syrah but also more tannic.”