While dominated by the lively fruit-laden Grenache variety, this year’s Bésoleil offering has a solid dose of Mourvedre, a Southern Rhone grape type that offers black pepper, spice and brooding black fruits. Added to the bright black raspberry spiciness of Grenache, the wine takes on new dimension this vintage: richer than 2004 with more texture and density. Wild dried raspberries, plums, and a floral note define aroma and flavor.  Nine percent Syrah adds a smoky complexity.

We mature Bésoleil in older oak barrels, different from any other wine in our portfolio. The purity of these varieties in this combination needs no weightiness that new French oak might bring. The lack of newer oak barrels also helps Bésoleil to be enjoyed earlier than its more strapping Syrah cellar mates. The 2004 vintage of Bésoleil was voted best Southern Rhone blend made in Washington by Seattle Magazine.

Blending Detail and Aging Profile

Blending Detail:

• Mourvedre
• Grenache
• Syrah

AVA & Vineyard Detail:

• Columbia Valley