Lauren Ashton Cellars was founded in 2009 by Kit Singh. A Dentist by profession, Kit’s passion for wine was fueled by trips to Napa, Sonoma and Europe’s best known wine regions. Kit’s enology background includes classes at UC Davis and Seattle Community College along with an internship at Delille Cellars.
The inspiration for the name of the winery was Kit’s two children, Ashley Lauren and Ashton Troy. The packaging for the wines is impressive. The black and white pictures on the labels are from buildings in Estonia where Singh’s partner, Riinu Rammal, is from.
The grapes for the 2011 Syrah were sourced from the Columbia Valley AVA. Purple in color and 14.5% ABV. Brooding aromas of dark fruits, coffee and grilled meats. Great texture and acidity. Cherries, boysenberry, espresso, game, bacon and olive brine on the palate. Supple, mouth coating tannins. The finish is impressive. Simply stunning right now but this wine should age gracefully for 5-7 years.
My rating: 93 points.
The wine is a steal at $35. The Woodinville tasting room is open Thursday thru Sunday from 1pm to 5pm. I will be visiting soon.
This review was based on a sample provided by the winery.
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