Quick Sip: 2004 Soléna Del Rio Syrah - rich, inky, and delicious

Soléna Syrah Del Rio, Rogue Valley (2004)
Soléna Estate
Syrah
Rogue Valley AVA, OR

This is the first of the warm weather varietals produced by Soléna. The Syrah you can try at the Grand Cru Estate or you can sample it and the other WWVs at their tasting room in Carlton, OR where we joined Lynnette for a flight.

Appearance: Deep, dark color, purple to ruby, inky, staining

Nose: Clean, blackberry, black cherry, jam, licorice, candied plums, dried fruit, chocolate covered raspberries

Palate: Dry, medium-high tannins that aren't harsh, supple with full body, jammy, black fruit, blackberry, raspberry jam, black cherry, plum, fig

In a word: Juicy. This is probably my favorite of the four WWVs, which speaks a lot to my appreciation of a bold, deep, fruit-driven dry red. I can't help it - my first love was Zinfandel, and while we still have torrid affairs occasionally I've broadened my options to include Syrah like this, Petite Sirah, Petit Verdot, and Malbec. Sourced from the Rogue Valley AVA in southern Oregon it's amazing to note the difference just a few hours in the car makes on the ripeness of grapes.

Cheers!