Robert Brittan left Stags’ Leap Winery in Napa after 16 years as Winemaker and Estate Manager to fulfill his dream of making Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah from unique sites in cooler climates. In 2004 he and his wife Ellen purchased a 128 acre estate in the foothills of the Coast Range in Oregon’s Willamette Valley and shortly thereafter founded Brittan Vineyards. All of the wines made at Brittan Vineyards are estate wines.
Dark purple in color. 13.8% ABV. Sublime nose of dark fruits, anise and flowers. Medium body with ample acidity. Just enough fruit to make the wine compelling at 13 years of age. Black cherry, saline, barbecued meats and minerals on the palate. Nice length on the finish. I’ve never had a Willamette Valley Syrah with this much bottle age and there is much to like here. Drink soon.
My rating: 90 points.
I previously blogged about Brittan Vineyards in A Visit to Brittan Vineyards in McMinnville.