2015 Syrah Ciel du Cheval, Red Mountain
2015 was one of the warmer years we have ever experienced on Red Mountain, and for that matter across the American west. An unusually warm spring led to one of the earliest bud breaks ever experienced. The warmer than normal weather persisted throughout the rest of summer and in to the Fall. In response to the heat, we changed our normal canopy (foliage) positioning to provide more shade to thefruit, protecting it from damage. The additional shade resulted in fruit that was intense in color with intense dark fruit flavors and aromas and intense tannins.
To take advantage of the fruit intensity we combined three different clones of Syrah to create this wine. Two clones are known for having a highly intense palate, while the third is known for create remarkably delicate aromatics. We balanced the intense fruit characteristics with 30% new French oak.
With nine years of bottle age, this wine is approachable now, but will age well for many more.
An incredible intense Syrah from beginning to end. On the nose, the wine starts with intense aromas of black fruits mingling with whiffs of tobacco, flowers, wood, and herbs. The first taste fills your mouth from side to side with blackberry, cassis and of course the signature blueberry flavors of Syrah. A moment or two later, new notes reminiscent of Liquorice, dark chocolate, herbs, and pencil lead emerge to mingle with the fruit. Underneath the flavors, the tannins are gently building as the wine moves towards the long dusty finish expected from a Red Mountain wine. 288 Cases Produced.
| Vintage | 2015 |
| Varietal | 100% Syrah |
| Appellation | Red Mountain |
| Vineyard | Ciel du Ceval |
| Alcohol | 14.50% |
| Wine Style | Red Wine |
| Volume | 750 ml |
| Country of Origin | UNITED STATES |
| State of Origin | Washington |
| Sparkling Wine | No |
91 points, Decanter
Clive Pursehouse, 12/2/2022.
As much as Red Mountain is known for the quality of its Cabernet, Syrah here does very, very well. Syrahs made from Ciel du Cheval have shined for decades on Red Mountain. This wine nods at the potential of this Rhone variety here. Aromas of dried violet, crushed black stone, olive and dark plum. The palate is full of minerality and earthen flavours, along with fennel, savoury herb and a core of ripe blackberry.
19/20 points
Rand Sealy, Review of Washington Wines
This Syrah displays a semi opaque ruby-garnet color and rich, smoky aromas of blackberries, blueberries, black currants, crushed roses, pipe tobacco, cedar, sandalwood, dried lavender and herbs, earth and spiced stick incense. The old vine flavors are distinctive as well, with dark fruits that are imbued with licorice root, roasted coffee beans and dusty Red Mountain earth. On the back, the wine turns chewy textured with sensations of roasted berries and nuts, mocha, leather and burnt charcoal, followed by a lingering, still earthy maturing tannin finish.
