WA Wine Report: An Encore Performance
Rotie is honored by a great peice from Sean Sullivan. Northern Blend "An aromatic nose... A meaty, rich, intense wine loaded with fresh fruit and umami flavors." Southern Blend "Beautifully rich, pure fruit flavors on the palate. Exceptionally well balanced with a long finish."
Rôtie Cellars 2008 Northern Blend
Rating: ** (Exceptional) An aromatic nose with violets, bacon fat, and blueberries. A meaty, rich, intense wine loaded with fresh fruit and umami flavors along with a textured mouthfeel. Oak is very far in the background putting the focus firmly on the fruit.
Rôtie Cellars 2008 Southern Blend
Rating: * (Excellent) Redolent with earth, raspberries, red cherries, and Red Vines. Beautifully rich, pure fruit flavors on the palate. Exceptionally well balanced with a long finish. 70% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 15% Mourvedre. Aged in French oak (100% second fills). 14.2% alcohol.
I vividly recall when I first tried the inaugural releases from Rôtie Cellars. It was last spring at Seattle Uncorked’s annual syrah event. I had tasted through fifty some odd Washington State syrahs before I arrived at the table where winemaker Sean Boyd was pouring. Boyd poured a glass of his 2007 Southern Blend – a mix of grenache, syrah, and mourvedre. The first sip was arresting. I looked up from my glass and said, “You have my complete attention.”
After being greatly impressed by a winery’s first release, I always hold my breath a bit when trying the second. Was it just a great vintage? Was it just beginners luck? After spending time last fall talking with Boyd and tasting barrel samples, it was clear that the answer to the first question was yes and the second question was no. 2007 was a great vintage, but Boyd's subsequent wines are every bit as impressive if not more so. Of course, the proof is really in the bottle, and the 2008 releases emphatically confirm my initial excitement about this winery.
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