Luke Columbia Valley Syrah Reserve

Wahluke Slope AVA, Washington

The LUKE Columbia Valley Reserve Tier of wines is a focus on specific vineyards within the Wahluke Slope and other AVA’s we are closely working with.  Isolating the best of the best fruit, fermenting natively, barrel aging in mostly new French oak ,and bottling the wines unfined and unfiltered will provide rich, powerful, yet elegant wines with tannins that are fine grained and flavors that linger.  These small production wines will highlight the greatness and unbound possibilities of the Wahluke Slope and the greater Columbia Valley AVA, the “fairy dust” of LUKE Columbia Valley.

Tasting Notes

Vibrant and saturated, with a youthful, dark purple color, the nose charms with its dense mix of crushed dark berries, cured olive, grilled herbs and black licorice. Ultra-rich and seamless with a solid core of plum, blackberry and savory olive, the palate is full, well-shaped and layered. The finish has a beautiful mineral-laced brightness and lingering notes of pomegranate and baking spices.

All fruit was hand harvested in mid-September and immediately processed to preserve freshness. With 20% whole clusters, the fruit was lightly crushed and delivered to concrete vessels for primary fermentation, which occurred spontaneously and lasted 21 days. The wine was gently pressed off skins and put immediately into French oak barrels, 30% new and 70% neutral. After secondary fermentation, the wine was left to age on lees until bottling in June 2021. Unfined, unfiltered.

Vineyards: Lawrence Vineyard

Varietals: 100% Syrah
Alc: 14.9%
pH: 3.79
TA 5.8g/L
French Oak
212 cases produced

The LUKE Columbia Valley Reserve Tier of wines is a focus on specific vineyards within the Wahluke Slope and other AVA’s we are closely working with.  Isolating the best of the best fruit, fermenting natively, barrel aging in mostly new French oak ,and bottling the wines unfined and unfiltered will provide rich, powerful, yet elegant wines with tannins that are fine grained and flavors that linger.  These small production wines will highlight the greatness and unbound possibilities of the Wahluke Slope and the greater Columbia Valley AVA, the “fairy dust” of LUKE Columbia Valley.

Tasting Notes

Luke Syrah Reserve is vibrant and saturated, with a youthful, dark purple color, the nose charms with its dense mix of crushed dark berries, cured olive, grilled herbs and black licorice. Ultra-rich and seamless with a solid core of plum, blackberry and savory olive, the palate is full, well-shaped and layered. The finish has a beautiful mineral-laced brightness and lingering notes of pomegranate and baking spices.

All fruit was hand harvested in mid-September and immediately processed to preserve freshness. With 20% whole clusters, the fruit was lightly crushed and delivered to concrete vessels for primary fermentation, which occurred spontaneously and lasted 18 days. The wine was gently pressed off skins and put immediately into French oak barrels, 30% new and 70% neutral. After secondary fermentation, the wine was left to age on lees until bottling in January 2020. Unfined, unfiltered.

Vineyards: Stone Tree Vineyard

Varietals: 97% Syrah 2% Mourvèdre 1% Grenache Alc: 14.7% pH: 3.79 TA 5.8g/L French & American Oak 186 cases produced

  • 2022-03-01

    91

    points

    Wine Enthusiast, March 2022

    "All the fruit for this wine comes from Lawrence Vineyard on the Royal Slope. The aromas are expressive, with notes of dried flower, herb, medicine, berry and smoked meat. The palate brings sleek Asian plum sauce and pomegranate flavors. There's a grip of structure behind it all. It's fascinating."

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  • 2021-07-05

    93

    points

    James Suckling, July 2021

    "Black fruit, violets, smoke and dried herbs on the nose. Tar and charcoal, too. It’s full-bodied with firm, fine tannins. Concentrated and racy on the palate with a velvety texture. Spicy and flavorful finish. A blend of 97% syrah, 2% mourvedre and 1% grenache. Try from 2022, but already delicious."

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  • 2020-12-01

    92

    points

    Vinous, December 2020

    "Deep ruby. Sexy, deep, varietally expressive aromas of blackberry, blueberry, mocha, cured meat, black olive, licorice pastille and violet. Densely packed, savory and alive; more concentrated, tactile and deep than the regular Syrah, showing a more three-dimensional texture and an element of mineral lift to its sweet dark berry, black olive and spice flavors. Finishes quite long, with lingering sweetness and big, broad, ripe tannins that saturate the palate without going dry. This is way beyond the entry-level Syrah in depth and dimension."

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  • 2020-12-01

    94

    points

    Wine Enthusiast, December 2020

    "Editors' Choice. Blackberry and other dark-fruit aromas meld with notes of smoked meat, coffee and mineral. The palate packs a big wallop of rich, layered black-fruit flavors, with plenty of tannic structure to provide support. It's a power-packed, hedonistic delight."

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TRADE & MEDIA ASSETS /////////////////

Luke Columbia Valley – 2024 Wine Enthusiast Scores – Sell Sheet

Luke Columbia Valley – 2023 Wine Enthusiast Scores – Sales Sheet

2019 Luke Columbia Valley Syrah Reserve – 91 pts, Wine Enthusiast – Shelftalker PDF

2019 Luke Syrah Reserve – Tasting Note

2018 Luke Syrah Reserve – Tasting Note

Luke Columbia Valley Syrah Reserve – Bottle

Luke Columbia Valley v18 & v19 Wine Enthusiast Ratings 11-2020 – Sell Sheet