So we got together with friends for an evening of charcuterie, cheese and higher end Washington wines. Four of us sat around a table and sloshed through:
2008 Cayuse Camaspelo Walla Walla Valley Red Bordeaux Blend
Excellent. Maturing plummy fruit speckled with minor notes of camphor and sweet green herbs underneath a pleasant layer of Rocks funk with a touch of graphite. A perfect bottle at a perfect moment in its peak drinking window.
2014 Woodward Canyon Cabernet Sauvignon Old Vines Washington
Plenty of rich dark fruits with a plush texture and a somewhat rustic crunch on the finish with notes of licorice and dark chocolate. Consistently one of WA's best cabs, but though greatly enjoyable now the fireworks of secondary development are a bit further down the road. Didn't quite compete with the mildly funky Camaspelo also on the table.
2012 Reynvaan Family Vineyards Syrah The Contender Walla Walla Valley
In its prime drinking zone. Shows like a fine Cote Rotie--plums and black raspberries, green olive and burnt rubber blend are harmonious with soft background tannins. Could cruise well for the next five years but I'd recommend drinking over the next two.
2015 Saviah Cellars Syrah The Funk Walla Walla Valley
On an evening of Funky wines, this was the funkiest of them all. Modern, in your face black fruit takes you on a ride thru burning tires, rotting garbage and god knows what else (dinner table conversation included all kinds of things I dare not post here). Almost uncomfortably attractive at the opposite end of the spectrum from the refined '12 Reynvaan also present, and one helluva lot of fun. Curiously delicious with these little sausage things that look just like Pupperoni dog treats. Fun fact: the winery owner/winemaker's last name IS actually Funk. It can get complicated in describing Washington wines from this area where generic funk can intersperse with appellation-specific Rocks funk and estate vineyards from a specific winery/winemaker.
2015 Two Vintners Syrah 'Some Days are Stones' Walla Walla Valley
Not advisable to PnP as we did, this one needs/deserves more time to open up especially considering the elevated abv. Nonetheless--sturdy black fruits, parched earth, fresh clay, bay leaf, tar and that wonderful Rocks funk. Lots to look forward to but needs time to knit together and become a cohesive drink. Fun fact: this winery also makes a non-Rocks syrah called 'Some Days are Diamonds'.