2019 Martin Woods, Syrah The Rocks district

Robert Parker - 95
The 2019 Syrah was vinified with 50% whole clusters, spent 35 days on skins and matured for 22 months. It has classic aromas of green olive, cracked pepper, grilled meats and blackcurrants. The medium-bodied palate is restrained and elegant with generous, crunchy fruit, supple tannins, seamless acidity and a long, violet-laced finish.

Published: Sep 29, 2023

tasting notes

red-blue fruits, violet, green olive tapenade, warming spices—mouthfilling, silken, harmonious balance—a permeating fine thread of structure—youthful, will gain in complexity and subtlety over many years in the cellar

ava: the rocks district of milton-freewater

vineyards: River Rock & RockBar

elevation: 900-925 ft

soil series: Freewater (cobblestone and gravel intermixed with loess)

planted: 2000-2016

harvest: October 7, 2019

whole cluster: 50%

elevage: sur lie 21 months in 228L & 400L neutral cooperage

bottled: July 16, 2021, Unfined & Unfiltered, 13.8% Alc.

cases produced: 320 (750ml x 12)

the Terroir

Nested within the Walla Walla Valley AVA, The Rocks District of Milton-Freewater resides entirely on the Oregon side of the Valley. The Rocks District is the only AVA in the U.S. whose boundaries have been fixed by virtue of a single soil series (Freewater Series) and a single land form (alluvial fan). We believe this to be one of the few locales in the world where the highly distinctive savory/umami attributes of Syrah can be found in spades, making for complexely perfumed and textured wines that remind us of the Northern Rhone. Please view this website: https://rocksdistrict.com/ terroir for a highly educational illustration of this unique terroir. The proof is in the glass!