Know Vino: Magnificent Wine Company’s 2006 Syrah

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

By Tyler Alford

The Columbia Valley American Viticultural Area (AVA) in Washington was established in 1984 and is the largest wine region in the state. Washington is also the nation’s second largest producer of premium wines in the United States. Among those excellent producers is Charles Smith of Magnificent Wine Company.

With a Web site boasting the quote “It’s just booze - drink it!,” Smith has moved to the forward of modern winemaking. Frizzy hair and hip labels give way to delicious creations though. His cult winery K Vitners made Smith a “media darling” and is considered to produce some of the finest Syrah’s in the country – the 2006 Magnificent Wine Company Syrah proves that mastery can be inexpensively enjoyed, as well.

The Syrah (also known as Shiraz) grape is the offspring of Dureza and Mondeuse Blanche, according to extensive DNA research in France by University of California, Davis’ Department of Viticulture and Enology (“watch me crush this grape with my IQ”). Syrahs are usually very full-bodied and have powerful tastes of chocolate, espresso and black pepper with level variances according to geographic location. Columbia Valley’s limited rainfall and protection from the Pacific coast helps vineyards to control the flavor development.

What Charles Smith produced is a long and deep glass of wine full of blueberry and raspberry fruits and spice. The bottle opens slowly, but each sip is worth the wait. Try this deliciously jammy Syrah with a nutty cheese like Beaufort that is rich enough to compete, but won’t dominate the wine’s flavor.
Cheers! JHW
Try a bottle of Magnificent Wine Company’s 2006 Syrah for $20.


PERMALINK:
Know Vino: Magnificent Wine Company’s 2006 Syrah | Planet JH News Article: Restaurants And Dining

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