By K Vintners
2019 Rockgarden Syrah

Tasting Notes by Winemaker Charles Smith
Bold, intense, and unique, the wine speaks loudly of black raspberry and wild blueberry, Bing cherry, lavender, thyme, and sagebrush. It lavishes us with sun-drenched stone, black licorice, fresh basil, river rock, and rose. This is what Walla Walla smells and tastes like on a beautiful summer day.

Vintage Notes
The 2019 vintage was on the cooler side as it started slowly with later-than-usual bud break and remained fairly moderate throughout the year. Some vineyards had issues with an October freeze, but our high-elevation vineyards have great air drainage, allowing us to extend the growing season late into October without freezing. This yielded fantastic ripening and awesome wines with incredible balance and character. Overall, we are excited about the wine produced in 2019, which has brought us more finesse, incredible flavors, and a lovely balance.

Rockgarden Vineyard
Planted in 2006 on the cobblestones of the rocks in Walla Walla and Freewater with cobble loam soil. With high-density planting at six by four feet, Phelps and Tablas Creek clones are planted in the ten-acre site. This is a beautiful spot that produces very distinctive wines.

Winemaking
Varietal Breakdown: 100% Syrah
Appellation: Walla Walla Valley
Production: 2.3 tons per acre, native yeast, 100% whole cluster fermentation, 54 days on skins
Aging: 40% new French oak puncheons, 22 months barrel-aged on lees

Wine Analysis
Alcohol: 14.00%
TA: 5.3 g/L
pH: 3.91
RS: No residual sugar
[Information provided by House of Smith]

Wine: 2019 K Vintners Syrah Rockgarden Vineyard
Score/Rating: 95
Suggested Drinking Window: 2022 - 2032 
Review Date: 07/09/2022
Reviewed By: Jeb Dunnuck        
Tasting Notes: Iron, black olives, peppery herbs, and both red and black fruits all emerge from the 2019 Syrah Rockgarden Vineyard, a balanced, deep, medium to full-bodied beauty with fine tannins and just about flawless balance. Coming all from the Rockgarden Vineyard in the Rocks region of the Walla Walla Valley and 100% Syrah that was not destemmed and was brought up in 40% new barrel, it's drinking brilliantly today and will cruise in cold cellars for a decade.

Wine: K Vintners Syrah Walla Walla Valley Rockgarden 2019
Score/Rating: 94
Review Date: 02/13/2022 
Reviewed By: James Suckling
Tasting Notes: An alluring nose. Aromas of dried flowers, grated nutmeg, baked cherries and pine cone. Full bodied with silky tannins. Linear, nuanced and charming. The floral character takes center stage, complimented [sic] by paprika and cardamom. Cocoa, too. Soft, gentle finish. Very well balanced. Drink or hold.