31 • 2005 Otis Kenyon Syrah, $30
Walla Walla, Washington
Stephen Kenyon and Deborah Dunbar have named their wine after Stephen’s grandfather—a legendary figure in Walla Walla lore.
Taste Scents of lavender; complex mineral flavors.
Sip tip There’s a bit of the cowboy in this wine. Serve with rib eye.
Cellar life 10+
32 • 2005 Pirouette Cabernet Sauvignon–Syrah-Merlot-Malbec–Cabernet Franc, $55
Columbia Valley, Washington
Pirouette is a collaboration between two celebrated California winemakers, Philippe Melka and Agustin Huneeus.
Taste Soft but fully ripe tannins.
Sip tip Drink any time you’re celebrating happy unions.
Cellar life 10+
33 • 2005 Reininger Ash Hollow Vineyard Syrah, $41
Walla Walla, Washington
The most well-balanced wine among the many outstanding current releases from this winery.
Taste Ripe plush tannins; scent of bacon fat.
Sip tip Currently a little shy, this wine will start showing off its considerable complexity after about five years.
Cellar life 10+
34 • 2006 Lemelson Wascher Vineyard Pinot Noir, $48
Dundee Hills, Oregon
Famous for their plum-flavored wines, Lemelson charted new territory this time, creating a tightly wound wine with exceptionally good grip.
Taste Enhanced acidity, excellent length, finely grained red berry flavors.
Sip tip Though exciting right now, this pinot will improve and soften in the bottle for the next five to seven years.
Cellar life 10+
35 • 2005 Guardian Cellars Syrah, $35
Red Mountain, Washington
Made from Red Mountain grapes, this bottle manages—perhaps thanks to its 2 percent viognier content—to walk the fine line between power and finesse.
Taste Scent is mildly reminiscent of bacon fat.
Sip tip This rich wine will really show its stuff alongside a meaty dinner; we suggest braised beef.
Cellar life 10+
36 • 2006 Archery Summit Renegade Ridge Estate Vineyard Pinot Noir, $85
Dundee Hills, Oregon
The steep slopes of the Renegade Ridge vineyard make for tricky farming, but help produce notably intense fruit flavors.
Taste Some dark cherry fruit.
Sip tip Picture this wine locked away in your cellar, reading self-help books and doing sit-ups. Its body will be much improved after three to five years inside.
Cellar life 10+
37 • 2006 Panther Creek Temperance Hill Vineyard Pinot Noir, $40
Eola-Amity Hills, Oregon
Fruit grown at Temperance Hill—a vineyard at an exceptionally high elevation—is turning out some real stunners, and this 2006 pinot is no exception.
Taste Black and red cherry flavors.
Sip tip This brooding, wintery wine would cozy up well to whole-grain bread and a bowl of stew.
Cellar life 10+
38 • 2006 Bethel Heights Southeast Block Pinot Noir, $50
Eola-Amity Hills, Oregon
Bethel Heights has made first-rate, estate-grown pinots for 24 years, and the 2006 vintage—including this muscular Southeast Block bottle—does not disappoint.
Taste Juicy; classic Eola-Amity ripe red cherry flavors.
Sip tip With its hints of cola, this wine would pair well with a bison burger for a highbrow take on a classic fast-food combo.
Cellar life 5+
39 • 2006 Lemelson Thea’s Selection Pinot Noir, $38
Willamette Valley, Oregon
Named for vintner Eric Lemelson’s mother, Thea’s Selection is typical of his style, with plenty of color and length
on the palate.
Taste Black cherries and boysenberries; a plumlike texture.
Sip tip Take your own mom on a picnic lunch in the park with a bottle of Thea’s.
Cellar life 5+
40 • 2005 Gamache Vintners Estate Syrah, $28
Columbia Valley, Washington
Brothers Bob and Roger Gamache have been toiling in the Columbia Basin for years, but only recently started their own label. You can taste the old vines in every glass.
Taste Scents of bacon fat, leather, and black cherries.
Sip tip Uncork while grilling and accompany with blackened portobellos.
Cellar life 10+
Published: September 2008