While 2018 is not over this wine stands out as the front runner. $44 is the best price I could find in the country (that is with tax) and it is from a local wine shop. Join my Twin Cities Wine Club to get these exclusive deals. $50 at K & L, $55 at Woodland Hills, $60 at JJ Buckley.
2015 K Vintners Syrah The Beautiful – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley (10/29/2018)
Day 1: Not what I would expect from Washington State. Very Northern Rhone. White pepper, game, violets, earth and black licorice. This has a medium to long finish and is quite a complex wine. Not many would pick Washington State in a blind tasting. I am quite please with this day 1 showing on quite a young wine. Should evolve on day 2, 3 and possibly 4. 94 points
Day 2: Violets, white pepper, soy sauce, game and menthol. This has the least amount of fruit I have ever tasted from a Washington State Syrah but I love this wine! One of the more interesting wines of the year for me. A must buy! 95 points
Day 3: Holding form from day 1 and 2. I love this wine.
Recommendation: Buy a three or four and try one young and see how this evolves over the years. I see this as a 15 year wine. One of my top wines of the year considering the price of $45. (95 points)
Website: http://winesofsubstance.com/
Charles Smith is making some of the best Rhone style wines in the US. This is one of the most similar to the Northern Rhone that I have sampled in a long time.
The discussion of my note on Wine Berserkers the world’s best wine blog! William Kelley of the Wine Advocate chimes in also.