The Vineyard
The vineyard site is a southwest facing promontory of the Snipes Mountain ridgetop in the Yakima Valley. Planted in 1998, the soil is stony: rounded pebbles, cobbles and sand from the riverbed of the ancestral Columbia River which once flowed here eons ago. Later tectonic activity uplifted this gravelly soil which now rests 300 feet above the valley floor. This spectacular site is well drained and exposed, imparting low vigor and yields to the Phelps clone Syrah.
The Wine
On the nose: toasty, black cherry, mocha, dark red fruit, creamy, spicy, slight fresh tar. The palate is round and juicy with dark red fruit, rich mid-palate and classic Roskamp grip.. This wine will pair especially well with cassoulet, braised short ribs or oxtail stew.