The heat we experienced in July and August built skin thickness and density, driving flavor and tannin development earlier than usual, and deepened color as well. The affects are clear in this year’s Syrah La Serenne: while it’s typically the softest and most approachable of our three Syrahs, the 2009 La Serenne is a blockbuster. Black red with a vibrant magenta edge, this vintage is “big” in every dimension and will probably live longer than many of the recent La Serenne vintages.

Blackberry, black cherry, liquid smoke and meat are the dominant flavors with a good measure of spice and blueberries in the background. There’s a full mouthfeel, with more tannin than typical, but without excess astringency, thanks to the specific Boushey Vineyard site we farm. As usual, this Syrah shows refinement and elegance, but this year they are backed up with power and a certain “wildness” that happens in this vineyard in warm years, reminiscent of the 2003 and 2005. It expresses itself mostly in the aroma, with crushed herb, iron and black olive notes.
 

Blending Detail and Aging Profile

Blending Detail:

• 100% Syrah

Barrel Program:

• 12 months 100% French Oak barrels
• 50% new oak
• 50% one fill (1 year neutralized oak)

Aging Profile:

• Serve cool, 60-62°F
• Best from 2013 through 2020

AVA & Vineyard Detail:

100% Boushey Vineyard (Yakima Valley)

Acclaim

From Jeb Dunnuck's Rhone Report, June 2011:

"...a gorgeous wine and easily the most approachable of the ’09 Syrahs. Possessing a vibrant, opaque purple color, as well as captivating and brilliantly pure aromatics of blackberry and raspberry liqueur, charred meat, violets, ground pepper, and serious minerality, the wine is medium+ bodied on the palate and possesses an elegant, perfectly balanced, streamlined profile. Far from a fruit bomb, this opens up over the evening and highlights a supple, seamless texture, fantastic integration of acidity, fruit, and tannin, and a long, structured finish. Given the balance and purity, this is no doubt superb now. However, I think it will be even better with bottle age. I would give bottles 2-4 years in the cellar, at which point this should drink well for a 10-15 years. 94 points."