Friends invited us over for a roast beef dinner last Saturday night. They're big fans of Reynvaan so I took one each cabernet and syrah, and meanwhile they opened a Two Vintners to make it an all-Washington event.
To prep my wines--it's been a long while since I had the cab and I hadn't opened this particular vintage of syrah before--I popped the corks around 1:00. It was my intention to check them every hour and return them to the bottles when I was satisfied, as one does. I had slept VERY poorly the night before and was absolutely dopey, so after tasting each to make sure there was no TCA going on--zero critical thinking otherwise went into this--I laid down for a quick nap.
Four and a half hours later my husband woke me up. So much for quick, it was time to go!
2015 Two Vintners Syrah Some Days are Stones Walla Walla Valley
M's bottle, decanted for one hour before serving. Big, boisterous black fruit with rollicking Rocks funk, barbecue smoke and leather dog chews. Over 15% alcohol makes it a little rowdy but at this stage more fun than serious. Fruit faded toward the end of the second hour leaving pyrazines and potter's clay--time to drink up.
2014 Reynvaan Family Vineyards Syrah Stonessence Walla Walla Valley
My first '14 from a set purchased direct from the winery. So no experience but judging by other bottles from other vintages, this wine was over-decanted. The wine was elegant but very subtle, not shy so much as washed out of that specific Reynvaan personality, and there was a hint of oxidation in the finish. Will open another for comparison very soon. No sediment.
2012 Reynvaan Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon The Classic Walla Walla Valley
This didn't suffer from the over-exposure like the '14 Stonessence seemed to. Complex and savory with that interesting Rocks funk overlay on the blackberry fruit. Considerable sediment, required filtering.