Winery - Coeur d'Alene Cellars
* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Solid winemaking delivers a fresh, clean Syrah loaded with blackberry and black cherry fruit. The midpalate is elevated by a streak of tart, citrus peel flavors, then leads into the mother lode of barrel toast, chocolate and roasted coffee.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Previous vintages have been very impressive. Here, for some reason, the wine falls a little flat. It does not have the lively snap to the midpalate that I remember from before, and the blend, though tasty enough, with a mix of tangy berries, somehow feels a bit generic.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Blackberries and blueberries on the nose, but not a simple fruit bomb, as it picks up greater depth and spice on the palate, adding layers of pepper and anise to the mix. Full-bodied, yet supple, with hints of coffee on the long finish.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Grapes are sourced from top vineyards such as Elerding and Milbrandt, and the wine is given 100% barrel fermentation. This is a rich, ripe, almost unctuous style of Viognier, and it is impossible to resist. Lush, creamy and loaded with tropical fruits, it fills the mouth with warm, round fruit, and sails into a lingering finish of bananas and cream.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
This 100% Viognier is given a no-malo, 100% stainless steel regimen, which produces an elegant and steely style of Viognier.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Crisply defined and built upon a core of lime and pineapple, this is dappled with toasty spice and balanced perfectly. No rough edges, no hurtful oak, no blowsy fruit salad; it’s elegant and stylish, detailed and textural, and fills the mouth with perfectly defined varietal fruit.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
The structure of this Syrah, from a vineyard in the Royal Slope, is impressive. It’s a balanced blend of flavors, with juicy raspberry and blackberry fruit, black olive, pepper and spice.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Tart and sappy, this brings spicy berry fruit into play, backed with bright, citrusy acids. The actual AVA is Horse Heaven Hills, but this Idaho winery is only allowed to use Washington since the grapes cross the border.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Also sourced from the McKinley Springs vineyard in Washington’s Horse Heaven Hills AVA, this is the regular Syrah compared with the Opulence, the reserve. The wines are clearly differentiated, the Envy showing rougher edges, tougher tannins and a more tannic, earthy character. There’s a strong herbal streak also; this wine definitely needs hearty foods to complement it.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Coeur d’Alene Cellars does a fine job with Syrah. This has much the same satiny, sexy black fruit as the more expensive Opulence bottling, but it is more accessible and forward, with less power in the back end. Still, it’s quite delicious, and the smoky tannins add some extra authority.
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