Savoury, potent, inky.
Road 13 is a strong proponent of Rhone Valley grape varieties such as this Syrah grown in the Blind Creek Vineyard in the Similkameen Valley.
The summer of 2017 was one of the hottest and driest on record for the valley and smoke from fires north and south were an issue--in the best cases it reflected sunlight off vines, assisting in intensity and moderate sugars and alcohol.
In this case, a potent wine was born. Blended with small amounts of Viognier and Merlot it is an inky wine with savoury spice, blackberry and plump black cherry aromas atop salted licorice, baking spice and mocha. Equally potent, the palate has thick slices of meat, toasted brown spice and dark cocoa flavours leading to a roasted espresso finish with pepper and salted licorice. Somewhat brooding, it has a supple weight, some drifting heat on the finish and some angularity in its tannic grip.
©copyright 2020 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - August 4th, 2020