Stevens Black Tongue Syrah, Yakima Valley, USA

點(diǎn)擊次數(shù)：3031

Unmistakably Syrah on the nose, with notions of black peppercorn, roasted meats, dusty lavender and crème de cassis, the 2017 Syrah Black Tongue is juicy and dense in the glass. Full-bodied, generous and complex, the palate is firm, tannic and subtly spiced, with elements of roasted sage, thyme and chard espresso beans on the finish. Only 275 cases were filled after the wine rested for 18 months in all French oak, 30% first use. I recommend having this with barbecue.

Bordering on a fruit bomb, and a well done one at that, the 2010 Syrah Stevens Black Tongue comes from the Dineen Vineyard in Yakima Valley and spends time in 50% new French oak (prior releases saw roughly 30%). Exhibiting sweet blackberry liqueur, spice box, lavender and scrub brush-like aromas and flavors, this voluptuous, full-bodied effort firms up nicely on the finish with notable minerality and good acidity. Nevertheless, we’re all about the fruit here. Enjoy bottles over the coming 5-6 years. Drink now-2018. Tel. (425) 424-9463; www.stevenswinery.com

Stevens’ aptly named 2009 Syrah Black Tongue – 60% Dineen Vineyard – is illustrative of the sort of strong tannins I find in many wines from a cluster of vineyards just north of Zillah. Dense and brooding already in the nose, it features bitter-edged huckleberry tinged with iodine, black pepper, and sumac. The tannins are fine-grained as well as dense but their intensity along with the bitter elements already conveyed by this wine’s principle flavors makes for a finish as austere as it is persistent, and somewhat wanting in primary juiciness. (Warning: the photographic label art, which illustrates the wine’s nickname, is riveting, but might gross-out some diners if presented tableside!) The Woodinville winery founded in 2002 by Tim and Paige Stevens – after he had worked at Matthews and Sheridan – sources from some distinctive sources, the resultant reds unapologetically tannic. Their self-designed labels, by the way – often photographic and sometimes depicting three dimensional works of art – are as distinctive as any I’ve ever seen. Tel. (425) 424-9463

Coal black, this no-holds-barred Syrah is for those who love the dark side of the grape. Flavors of smoked cherries fill the palate, which is dense and tannic. At the core is a mesh of bark, earth and graphite, but the wine retains its balance with the perfect mix of ripe tannins and natural acidity.——P.G.(4/1/2012)—— 90

The 2008 Black Tongue Syrah displays notes of game, smoked meat, a hint of balsamic, blueberry, and lavender. Made in a lean style with a sense of elegance, it has enough structure to evolve for 3-4 years. It will be at its best from 2014 to 2023. Located in Woodinville (along with 70-80 other wineries), Tim Stevens’ first vintage was 2001 with current production at 2500 cases. The vast majority of his fruit is sourced from Yakima Valley. Tel. (425) 424-9463; www.stevenswinery.com