By on March 25, 2016

cairdeas-syrah-2013-bottleThe Lybeckers’ devotion to the wine industry lured them from life near the Puget Sound to a new career along Lake Chelan, and their passion and pursuit of Rhône varieties is apparent. Growing conditions surrounding the lake help to balance hot growing seasons such as 2013, and this product of Syrah from the south shore was co-fermented with Viognier (4%), making for youthful and fruit-forward aromas of Marionberry and blueberry with light toast. Inside, its silky texture, thanks in part to new French oak puncheons, continues to showcase those blue fruit tones, backed by plums and blueberry acidity. Label art was provided by the very young Eugene Lybecker. The wine received a silver medal at the 2016 San Francisco Chronicle, but one judge believed it merited more.

Rating: Outstanding!

Production: 80 cases

Alcohol: 14.6%