2019 “Gaspard” Red Mountain Syrah - The Walls Vineyard

Wild blackberry, fresh rosemary, dark plum skin. Black currant preserves, brisket crust, blueberry concentrate. Highly extracted and energetic bursts of black forest cherry, licorice, and açaí lead an incredibly powerful and tightly-wound attack brimming with intriguing herbal notes of sagebrush and bramble. Hints of charcoal, bacon fat, and smoke swiftly materialize to reveal a deliciously meaty and rugged backbone that is lifted and livened by perfumed layers of incense, violet oil, and potpourri. Wafts of French vanilla and cinnamon gently expose decidedly pretty toasted oak influence as hints of iron and basalt reassert wild and earthy leanings. Impressively robust, muscular, and savory on the palate while absolutely brimming with incredible tension and pent-up energy; exhibiting a concentrated and brooding yet well balanced presentation that is deeply extracted yet still admirably elegant. Full bodied and packed with both high tannin and nicely elevated acidity. This 2019 "Gaspard" Red Mountain Syrah by The Walls Vineyards is an inky and intense red from Washington.

Located in the Yakima Valley along a singular south-facing mountain slope, Red Mountain is a small but incredibly exciting winegrowing appellation known for producing deeply-colored wines of incredible depth and power. This bottling, crafted by The Walls Vineyards using Syrah sourced from the Red Heaven vineyard in Red Mountain, brilliantly exemplifies the combination of extraction and elegance that garners this region's best wines such high critical acclaim. This radiates a range of deeply concentrated dark fruits that remain nervy despite their immense amplitude, and it backs them with pretty herbal notes, smoky meatiness, bold florals, and iron-rich earthiness. This extremely age-worthy creation is very much still in its infancy, and would be best enjoyed after a lengthy decant or at least 5-10 years of cellar age. Outstanding.