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2017 La Côte Patriarche
Red Willow Vineyard Syrah

750ml Sold Out
La Côte Patriarche (French for "The Founder's Slope") is a heartfelt and thankful homage to Mike Sauer and David Lake MW, the visionaries, who planted Washington's first Syrah at Red Willow Vineyard in 1986. Red Willow has since become perhaps the most influential site for syrah in the state, launching Washington's success with the variety and providing the inspiration and the plan cuttings for many vineyards, including our own La Serenne. That original 1986 planting is what today makes up La Côte Patriarche. Who knew history could be so delicious?
Wine Specs
Vintage
2017
Varietal
Syrah
Appellation
Yakima Valley
Vineyard Designation
Red Willow Vineyard
Aging
French Oak Barrels for 13 Months. 30% New.
Fermentation
50% Concrete Vessel Fermentation. 50% Whole Cluster Inclusion.
Alcohol %
13.6
Robert Parker
94
Wine Profile
Tasting Notes
The 2017 La Côte Patriarche is a striking example of the dense color typical of the vintage. It’s glass-coating and near-black starting with incredibly complex and pronounced aromatics. Wet stone and graphite, dark fruits and black olive, crushed espresso bean, violets and tar…there’s something new every time you go back to the glass. The dense, inky palate is rich and silky, but with terrific brightness and pronounced tannic structure. All the weight doesn’t overcome the vibrancy however, and there’s precise focus to layered flavors of cedar, smoked meat and blackberry bramble. The finish doesn’t seem to stop. This has a long life in the cellar ahead but is an absolute joy now.
Production
210 Cases Made.