Winery - Doyenne
* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
The latest Métier is 100% Viognier, all from Ciel du Cheval on Red Mountain. The lack of Roussanne in the blend takes away some subtle level of complexity, and this wine, though ripe and extracted and quite seductive, seems a bit one-dimensional. It’s a really, really good dimension however, with lush peachy fruit and generous dollops of vanilla cracker and toast.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Roussanne, with barely seven years history in Washington, is making good headway, thanks to efforts such as this. It seems to capture the floral and citrus complexity of the best Viogniers, while adding in richer layers of fruit through a pleasingly honeyed middle. Lively and lingering, it has the balance and depth to improve in bottle over the next four or five years.
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Doyenne Roussanne - 2007
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Fruit compote—plum and strawberry—is melded to light toast and coffee. The wine has juicy acids and a thickly satisfying midpalate whose fruit flavors linger on, adding a little peppery spice as the wine evolves in the mouth. Just a whisp of chocolate leaves you ready for the next sip.
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Doyenne Red Blend - 2006
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
A sharp, focused mix of wild berry, earth, pencil, stem, leaf, pepper and bitter chocolate, this blends five clones of Syrah from four different vineyards. It’s complex, tight and tannic, with a wonderful array of flavor components just beginning to knit together.
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Doyenne Syrah - 2006
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Firm, ripe, dense and plummy fruit is underlined with astringent tannins. Nuances of black olive, smoke and graphite are woven in. Doyenne’s 2006 wines are all quite tight, hard, and tannic; they will greatly benefit from more bottle age and generous breathing time.
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Doyenne Syrah - 2006
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
The 2005 Doyenne Aix is 50% Cabernet, 48% Syrah and 2% Mourvèdre. The increased percentage of Syrah and the extra dollop of Mourvèdre ramps this up to a stiffer, more substantial wine than the 2004. It’s a Cabernet-driven complement to the DeLille D2, replete with muscle and nerve. Dark and chewy, the wine has picked up a little Rhône-like savage-ness from the Mourvèdre, especially in the aroma. The tannins are chewy and a bit leafy, and need some airing out, but there’s plenty of meaty flavor here.
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Doyenne Red Blend - 2005
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
This is 100% Roussanne from Red Mountain, whose heat gives the grape plenty of ripening. Here it reaches into high-toned, tropical and candied citrus fruits, accented with pungent aromas of spun sugar, fruit candy and a whiff of diesel. Complex, forward, juicy and just a little hot in the finish.
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Doyenne Roussanne - 2009
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
This outstanding Syrah from the winery’s Red Mountain vineyard is immediately likeable, with smoky, meaty and very Rhône-like aromas and hints of garrigue. This is what only the best Washington Syrahs can evoke. Young, juicy and still a bit grapey, it’s packed with mixed fruits and herbs. The aromas offer floral highlights along with the luxurious mix of fruit, leaf, bark and herb.
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Doyenne Syrah - 2005
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
This is a great vintage for this wine, pure Roussanne from Ciel du Cheval vineyard grapes. It opens with high-toned jasmine, lemon and chamomile aromas, lightly touched with honey. Limes, pears and orange marmalade fill the midpalate, opening into a long, lingering finish dotted with white pepper.
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Doyenne Roussanne - 2008
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Lovely lemon drop and tangerine fruit creates a juicy, vibrant mouthfeel, with a baby aspirin/orange candy streak running down the midpalate. Tasted just after being released, this looks likely to improve over the next year or two.
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