Q: Washington Syrah

My wine group has picked a theme that I know nothing about and have none in the cellar. Washington Syrah sound OK but which ones are decent, how old should they be and where in NYC can I buy a bottle?
Thanks,
Walt

[Robin Garr]

Go to Chambers Street, ask their advice, and trust them.

Go to Chambers Street, ask their advice, and trust them.

Generally good advice for any wine search, though WA not exactly their specialty.
Might have more choices at a more generalist store (Garnet, Astor, PJ, or Zachys or Winelibrary if outside Manhattan)

Looks like CSW has one Columbia Valley Syrah, Fausse Piste. Never heard of them, but as noted if Chambers has it, I'd trust it. Maybe Jenise or other WAer has an opinion.

Go to Chambers Street, ask their advice, and trust them.

Generally good advice for any wine search, though WA not exactly their specialty.
Might have more choices at a more generalist store (Garnet, Astor, PJ, or Zachys or Winelibrary if outside Manhattan)

I always go to CSW when in NYC and will next month but felt looking at them to buy any domestic wine was somewhat of a waste of time.

[Robin Garr]

I always go to CSW when in NYC and will next month but felt looking at them to buy any domestic wine was somewhat of a waste of time.

Walt, that makes sense, but CSW does have some domestic inventory, and it strikes me in general as being vetted in the same way - and with similar tastes - as they do Euro-wines. Hence my suggestion, even if they don't have a wide selection.

One other thought, probably not too helpful: L'Ecole No. 41, which seems to be widely available, is a decent Washington wine, or at least it has pleased my taste buds. You can probably get it in STL.

One other thought, probably not too helpful: L'Ecole No. 41, which seems to be widely available, is a decent Washington wine, or at least it has pleased my taste buds. You can probably get it in STL.

Since I know nothing that is at least a rec. The L'Ecole and Columbia River should be available but was hoping for something a little more obscure. I am sure these wines will appear as most of the people in the tasting group have the same problem I have. The guy with the theme just happens to really like Wash Syrah.
Walt

Cayuse, K Vintners and Betz Family come to mind.

I think Amavi's Syrahs have been consistently good in the decade or so they've been around, if you like a relatively restrained style. I think volumes are high enough that it should be distributed pretty well. It's also a relative bargain in a part of the world where decent red wine that lists for less then $30 is a rarity.

[Jenise]

One other thought, probably not too helpful: L'Ecole No. 41, which seems to be widely available, is a decent Washington wine, or at least it has pleased my taste buds. You can probably get it in STL.

Since I know nothing that is at least a rec. The L'Ecole and Columbia River should be available but was hoping for something a little more obscure. I am sure these wines will appear as most of the people in the tasting group have the same problem I have. The guy with the theme just happens to really like Wash Syrah.
Walt

Several suggestions, customized to your tastes: Buty 'Rediviva of the Stones', Doyenne, and Betz. The Cayuse that Jim recco'd is very hard to get (excellent, but also highly pursued by the pointy people) so in this situation rather restrictive. Of my three, the Doyenne is my favorite suggestion for you. The winery is actually named DeLille, but their line of Rhone wines goes by the name Doyenne (their line of Cab blends is called Chaleur, and both lines are the Frenchiest of each made in this state, and I'm a BIG fan). The other two are very Frenchy as well and will definitely impress, but I'm going to give Doyenne the nod on appealing to you the most. On your behalf I called the winery and learned that their distributor in New York is Southern Lauber Imports, 1-800-272-4255. They'll know where the wine is.

[Jenise]

I think Amavi's Syrahs have been consistently good in the decade or so they've been around, if you like a relatively restrained style. I think volumes are high enough that it should be distributed pretty well. It's also a relative bargain in a part of the world where decent red wine that lists for less then $30 is a rarity.

I sure agree with that!

Several suggestions, customized to your tastes: Buty 'Rediviva of the Stones', Doyenne, and Betz. The Cayuse that Jim recco'd is very hard to get (excellent, but also highly pursued by the pointy people) so in this situation rather restrictive. Of my three, the Doyenne is my favorite suggestion for you. The winery is actually named DeLille, but their line of Rhone wines goes by the name Doyenne (their line of Cab blends is called Chaleur, and both lines are the Frenchiest of each made in this state, and I'm a BIG fan). The other two are very Frenchy as well and will definitely impress, but I'm going to give Doyenne the nod on appealing to you the most. On your behalf I called the winery and learned that their distributor in New York is Southern Lauber Imports, 1-800-272-4255. They'll know where the wine is.

Thanks, that should let me purchase something interesting.
Walt

Looks like CSW has one Columbia Valley Syrah, Fausse Piste. Never heard of them, but as noted if Chambers has it, I'd trust it. Maybe Jenise or other WAer has an opinion.

As fortune has it we get the Fausse Piste down here and it is stunning. The 2008 Ce lieu apres Syrah is so good it'd "make a Bishop kick a hole in a stain glass window". The fruit is WA but the maker is OR, if you're keeping track of such things. Their Viognier is my favorite bar none (and that includes Condreiu). Now that I think about it the Chandlerism is better color suited to that wine, but you get my meaning.

[Jenise]

Looks like CSW has one Columbia Valley Syrah, Fausse Piste. Never heard of them, but as noted if Chambers has it, I'd trust it. Maybe Jenise or other WAer has an opinion.

As fortune has it we get the Fausse Piste down here and it is stunning. The 2008 Ce lieu apres Syrah is so good it'd "make a Bishop kick a hole in a stain glass window". The fruit is WA but the maker is OR, if you're keeping track of such things. Their Viognier is my favorite bar none (and that includes Condreiu). Now that I think about it the Chandlerism is better color suited to that wine, but you get my meaning.

That's a wine (winery) I've never heard of. Interesting, must find some!--like Dale says, if CSW carries it, it has to be uncommonly good.

I have taken all the advice and even called the NYC importer Jenise reported. The wine recommended is only sold in restaurants. This is becoming a real chore and have yet to find any recommended wines in the larger stores in Manhattan. The three stores I checked only had one available. Washington Syrah may be an untapped wine which is making me even more dedicated to finding something interesting.
Walt

[Robin Garr]

Cayuse, K Vintners and Betz Family come to mind.

We do get K Vintners in Kentucky, so some of it clearly gets east of the Rockies.

I checked Zachys, they had 4 K Vintner Syrahss, and 2 Gramercy Syrahs. So checked those on WS- the Gramercy is also sold at PJs (uptown, but still Manhattan). The K Vintners Millbrandt is sold at Cabrini (also uptown). Both might deliver. The search for K Vintners also crosslisted the Charles Smith Boom Boom which is several places in NYC, including Chelsea Wine Vault and Winfield-Flynn (which I think is that little store on 3rd in 30s).

[Jenise]

I checked Zachys, they had 4 K Vintner Syrahss, and 2 Gramercy Syrahs. So checked those on WS- the Gramercy is also sold at PJs (uptown, but still Manhattan). The K Vintners Millbrandt is sold at Cabrini (also uptown). Both might deliver. The search for K Vintners also crosslisted the Charles Smith Boom Boom which is several places in NYC, including Chelsea Wine Vault and Winfield-Flynn (which I think is that little store on 3rd in 30s).

Gramercy is getting a lot of notice of late. I've not tasted their wines at all, but whatever I've read strongly piqued my interest so they must not be the sappy New World style. Could be a great choice for Walt.

I checked Zachys, they had 4 K Vintner Syrahss, and 2 Gramercy Syrahs. So checked those on WS- the Gramercy is also sold at PJs (uptown, but still Manhattan). The K Vintners Millbrandt is sold at Cabrini (also uptown). Both might deliver. The search for K Vintners also crosslisted the Charles Smith Boom Boom which is several places in NYC, including Chelsea Wine Vault and Winfield-Flynn (which I think is that little store on 3rd in 30s).

Dale,
Help me on this as I guess I do not know locations for NYC wine stores. What is in Manhattan that is south of the park and north of CSW. PJs is so far north and I did not think Zachy's was even in Manhattan. Give me your top 4-5 recs on wine stores in this area, CSW being a no brainer.
Walt

Zachys isn't in NYC , I just checked to get an idea what might be distributed in NYS.

If by south of park you mean south of 59th, Sherry-Lehmann and Astor probably have biggest selection overall. Crush is a very good specialty shop. Columbus Circle Wine has some good stuff occasionally. I can't stand Morrells.

If you include Upper East and Upper West, might try Garnet, Acker.

The Cayuse that Jim recco'd is very hard to get (excellent, but also highly pursued by the pointy people) so in this situation rather restrictive.

Sokolin in NY carries Cayuse Armada and Cailloux. Neither's cheap, but Cailloux is certainly worth experiencing once - that is a unique and quite fantastic Syrah. (Less of a fan of the Armada and the other Cayuse Syrahs.)

Noticed they also has some of the Reynvaan Syrahs - those are a fair bit cheaper than the Cayuse, though I've only heard them hyped (Christophe Baron consults there, and there are quite a few WA geeks who've talked about similarities in style), but not yet gotten around to trying one of the wines. [EDIT: They're in Bridgehampton, so only useful if you can get it shipped/delivered...]

BTW Jenise, have you tried the Cayuse Grenache yet?

Largely repeating what others have said:

Buty Rediviva of the Stones is something like 75 percent Syrah, 25 percent Cab but a stunning wine.

I've also enjoyed Syrahs from Amavi, Isenhower, Morrison Lane, Sapolil, Stephenson and Watermill.

Cayuses are great but you have to get on a waiting list to get on a waiting list to get on a waiting list before you can buy. Best bet is to know someone with a stash. (My good fortune is that my sister-in-law helps with their spring sales and gets paid with a case, which she and my brother-in-law generously share when we visit.)

I've heard good things about Rotie Cellars but haven't yet tried anything from them.

You can buy online directly from the wineries and have them shipped. Or for a single source, you can probably order a 1/2 case or full case of a variety of Washington Syrahs from Vintage Cellars in Walla Walla (www.vintagewinebar.org/). That might be the easiest way to do things.

[Jenise]

BTW Jenise, have you tried the Cayuse Grenache yet?

No, only the Cailloux syrah and Camaspelo cab blend. Both were head-turners.

BTW Jenise, have you tried the Cayuse Grenache yet?

No, only the Cailloux syrah and Camaspelo cab blend. Both were head-turners.

I was able to try it about a year ago. I don't have any specific notes but recall being amazed at how good it was, with a stunning floral nose. I had low expectations because it's a grape I'm not usually crazy about, especially when over-extracted (a common flaw in Washington reds IMO), but this was a beauty. More fruit-forward and less earthy than a typical southern Rhone red, but well balanced with good acidity, not jammy and not over-oaked.