<

The 2018 Syrah La Côte Rousse is our second vintage to be “co-fermented” with a small amount of Viognier (3%), a technique used in the Old World to bring aromatic lift and paradoxically vibrant color.  Deep, dark purple leads out to brilliant magenta highlights at the edge of the glass. The aromas are intense and exotic; black and red raspberries, apricot and passion fruit nimbly dance with graphite, sandalwood, chamomile, and rose petal.  The palate brings intense graphite and dark chocolate with boysenberry and sesame fleshing things out. The finish is lengthy with broad mineral tones and surprising delicacy.  We’ve seen La Côte Rousse gain increasing precision and finesse over the last few years and 2018 is no exception.  It’s a star of the vintage and will reward short-term cellaring. 

La Côte Rousse, French for "The Red Slope" combines Syrah from the two founders of Red Mountain;  Scott Williams of Kiona Vineyard and Jim Holmes of Ciel Du Cheval Vineyard.  in the 1970s these two made a passionate (and many thought absurd) commitment to the untested and inhospitable sagebrush slopes of Red Mountain.  Today Red Mountain is justifiably considered to be one of America's most respected allegations, producing long-lived Syrah brimming with fruit essence and richness.