Owen Roe Syrah Columbia Valley Ex Umbris 2010

Owen Roe Ex Umbris Syrah was supposed to be a one-off made from grapes influenced by some fairly serious fires in the area resulting in grapes with an undeniable smoke flavor. It was so popular they continued to produce it.

A velvety red, offering ripe cherry, licorice and green olive flavors that come together on the firm-textured finish and linger nicely, balancing fruit and savory notes. Best from 2013 through 2016. 3,443 cases made. -HS (from deep volcanic ash and loess): Bright red with ruby highlights. Plush and sweet but sappy too, with a distinctly low-pH mouthfeel to the cool flavors of berries, licorice, flowers and garrigue. Very suave syrah in an approachable style, finishing with restrained sweetness, rather light tannins and very good length. (Theres very little new oak in any of these syrahs, noted proprietor/winemaker David OReilly.) ** SOLD OUT **

Columbia Valley, WashingtonOwen Roe Syrah Ex Umbris is a superb red wine gem from Washington made by David O'Reilly, who specializes in big, fruit-driven reds from Washington and Oregon under the Owen Roe and Sineann labels. Wine Spectator ranked the 2009 Ex Umbris #25 in its Top 100 Wines of 2011, and this 2010 release was just rated 90 points by both Wine Spectator and Steve Tanzer! This wine was introduced in 2002 as a one-time bottling after a wildfire struck the vineyard's surrounding hillsides. When the residual ash and smoke resonated in the Syrah grapes, a memorable wine was created! This bold Syrah is comprised from several exceptional vineyards in Washington's Columbia Valley.Owen Roe Syrah Ex Umbris is a gorgeous deep purple in color with full body. Notes of pink peppercorn, raspberry, rose petals and baking spices greet the nose, followed on the palate by flavors of bing cherry, white pepper, cedar, eucalyptus and plum. Bright acidity and a fine tannin structure make this a well balanced red of complexity and elegance. The wine spent 16 months in barrel in neutral French oak. It is long and rich on the smooth finish.Enjoy Owen Roe Syrah Ex Umbris over the next 6-8 years with filet mignon, rack of lamb, venison, rich vegetable dishes and aged cheeses.