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| Drinking Windows and Values |
| Community Tasting History |
| Community Tasting Notes (average 95 pts. and median of 95 pts. in 66 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by DarinC on 1/20/2024 & rated 94 points: PnP and consumed over 2 hours with dinner. Beautiful aromas of dark plums, blackberries, and traces of herbs, tobacco, smoked meat and olives. Took 30 minutes to open up in the glass. Full bodied with a long slightly tannic mineral tinged finish. Great balance without being full-blown over the top new world Syrah. Early maturity and ageing gracefully. (363 views) | | | Tasted by RhoneWho on 12/11/2023 & rated 98 points: This wine has matured at near perfection. The beautiful Hermitage-like bouquet of smoked meat, bloody iron and sweet black fruits laced with rose floral notes and hint of cigar. The flavor profile has ripe prune fruit and savory with black olive tapenade and grilled mushroom. The texture is suave and silky with ultra-fine tannin.
This is our 3rd bottle over last 6 years and this wine has continue to evolve and improve. The second bottle we had last year and we thought the aromatics was intoxicating with rose floral notes with burgundian texture (as in 2014 or 2019). We are glad that this 3rd bottle is back to a balance between a hermitage syrah with great burgundian pinot.
I think the wine-making style for 2012 vintage has become more finesse than its boldacious and delicious 2007 and 2008 vintages; and the wine-making style has continue to refine to the point I find its 2014 vintages had become more Burgundian in style with less extracted fruit profile and has leaner structure with brighter acidity.
This 2012 Royal City is definitely a step up over its siblings 2012 Cattle King, Hidden and Klein (all rated 97-99).
We just enjoyed swirling the wine glasses for its beautiful bouquet unfurling out. Opulent and intoxicating enjoyment!
Rating: 97-100; 98-99 (562 views) | | | Tasted by mojotojo on 12/10/2023 & rated 91 points: Still silky smooth, wonderfully aromatic Syrah, but less appealing than the last time I had it. It has an intensely perfumed nose of black fruits, violets, rocks, smoked meat, lilacs, minerals, but now with some "interesting" secondary aromatics. Like iron, petrol and, as my partner pointed out, "fresh plastic". Reminiscent of the plastic from model cars when I was a kid. Plus the whiff of glue that went along with it. On the palate it is all silk and velvet with sweet tannins. The vaguely petrochemical notes come back on the finish. I wonder if this is simply an odd bottle. I've noticed considerable bottle variation is some WA State wines (I'm looking at you, No Girls) or maybe it's just a characteristic of WA state Syrahs to develop these funky secondary notes. I'm very familiar with WA "Rocks funk", but this was unexpected after having several bottles of the 2012 in the past that were quite muted. We'll see how the rest develop. (387 views) | | | Tasted by RJWallis on 7/5/2023 & rated 97 points: Wine of the night from a blind tasting of 9 syrahs (including No Girls, MTR, Cayuse, Betz, The Walls, Bedrock, B Leighton and Reynvaan). A crowd favorite with most using the descriptors powerful and all out syrah. Drinking beautifully after a 3 hour decant. I want more!!! (648 views) | | | Tasted by markcic on 5/28/2023 & rated 92 points: Opened for an hour, recorked and took to the club for the Memorial Day BBQ - Dark fruit on the nose with a hint of spice. The palate was dark berries, smoke, meat and spices with just a hint of cigar coming through on the finish which was moderate to long. Went very well with the food that was being served. (741 views) | | | Tasted by acetopper on 2/19/2023: Fruitier than I remember (710 views) | | | Tasted by Quiet Lion on 2/17/2022 & rated 95 points: Pop and pour. This is right in the zone with mild barnyard, spit-roasted pig skin, saucy dried berries, lots of punch yet precariously balanced on the palate. Love this style or hate it, this is a top-shelf example. (1919 views) | | | Tasted by mojotojo on 11/13/2021 & rated 98 points: Silky smooth, absolutely gorgeous, wonderfully aromatic Syrah. This wine is special. A captivating nose of black fruits, violets, rocks, smoked meat, maybe some lilac, spice, minerals, smoke, honeysuckle, more wet rocks... you get the idea. Silk smooth and lush, with sweet but solid tannins and a solid core of black and red raspberries, pepper, olives and more gamey meat flavours. The finish on this baby goes on and on. One of the best Syrahs I have had. It may be at its peak, but it should maintain this level for another 5 years or so. (1822 views) | | | Tasted by danielbleier on 10/23/2021 & rated 96 points: consistent with notes of 7/29/2017 (1726 views) | | | Tasted by mojotojo on 8/5/2021 & rated 95 points: Brought to group function, only had 2 small pours, but it was silky smooth, lush and delicious. Classic WA State Syrah with a depth that seemed bottomless. Drinking really well now, it will last a while but may not improve much. (1838 views) | | | Tasted by rustyRudy on 7/10/2021 & rated 95 points: Dark brick red in color, dark chocolate, grilled herbs, and black fruits on the nose. Still big, has calmed down some, black cherry, meaty, and residual sweetness on the finish (2012 views) | | | Tasted by andrewdodd86 on 7/10/2021 & rated 98 points: Tannins have mellowed for sure. Chocolate, plum, tobacco and cigar box. Dark sweet black raspberry. Cherry and licorice. Absolutely beautiful! (1518 views) | | | Tasted by jlgnml on 6/14/2021 & rated 92 points: Deep dark color, good berry flavor, subtle yet strong finish. Wife does not like and I like it. Drink/sell. (1648 views) | | | Tasted by Quiet Lion on 2/18/2021 & rated 95 points: Really started singing after a three-hour decant, which I recommend. This is a super Washington Syrah with blackberry, mocha, caramel, and barnyard funk all in intense balance with supple tannins. Yes, these funky Washington Syrahs lack nuance and tend to be similar to one another in profile but when you're craving it they can be so delicious. (2113 views) | | | Tasted by parkline_wine on 1/9/2021 & rated 94 points: Decanted 3 hours. Sat in glass for 1 hour further.
This took a moment to wake up. But when she did, what an awesome new world Syrah! Earth, olive, smoke, and mollasses on the nose, with perhaps a smidge of currant.
Palate is consistent with the nose. Great structure and complexity. Not a lot of fruit present, more earthy notes shine through with great oak integration. Finish was excellent. 45+ seconds, with no intensity lost through the mid to late pallet.
Not your typical wine, less fruit than normal, but so very enjoyable! Bravo. (1892 views) | | | Tasted by rustyRudy on 10/30/2020 & rated 95 points: Purple. Nice combination of fruit, savory, earth and balanced oak, tannins and acidity. (2328 views) | | | Tasted by andrewdodd86 on 10/30/2020 & rated 97 points: Cigar box, vanilla, chocolate and tobacco. All dark dark as night blackberry/black raspberry. Powerful and plum without being jammy. Cranberry. Great palatencoatinf fruit and staying power. Tannins are approachable but plenty of structure. 2020-2040 (2041 views) | | | Tasted by ddemas on 8/16/2020 & rated 94 points: The perfect expression of new world/old world Syrah in a wine. (2114 views) | | | Tasted by enjoyvino on 7/24/2020 & rated 94 points: This is a big syrah. Huge flavor, some tannin yet smooth. Has some earthiness to it with deep dark fruit. Powerful syrah! (2044 views) | | | Tasted by pdemaio on 6/15/2020 & rated 95 points: Smooth, big, and rich. Easy to drink, with plenty of fruit. great backbone.
PDQ95 (2102 views) | | | Tasted by Quiet Lion on 11/4/2019 & rated 93 points: Drank over two days. Lots of delicious primary flavors of red and black fruit. This bottle wasn't as precise and edgy as others. Not sure if it's age or bottle variation. More of a crowd pleaser this time. (2837 views) | | | Tasted by danielbleier on 8/24/2019 & rated 96 points: consistent with notes of 7/29/2017 (2709 views) | | | Tasted by MWiking on 8/2/2019 & rated 94 points: inky and nice! (2583 views) | | | Tasted by Quiet Lion on 7/8/2019 & rated 94 points: Pop and pour. Bold flavors of dark fruit and smoked meat dominate the silky palate. These are polarizing wines: not for those looking for subtle balance, but the flavors are delicious. (2657 views) | | | Tasted by RJWallis on 6/8/2019 & rated 94 points: Beat out by a '12 Horsepower Tribe in a blind tasting, but received several first place votes. Well made, ready after a two hour decant. Classic syrah nose, great to taste the fruit shining through. Dark red fruits with a medium/long finish. Fantastic with a savory leg of lamb. (2571 views) | | | Only displaying the 25 most recent notes - click to see all notes for this wine... |
| By Eric Guido
Vinous, Rhônes on the Rise: Washington State Takes the Lead (Aug 2023) (8/1/2023)
(K Vintners Syrah Royal City Washington Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Stephen Tanzer
Vinous, Washington Turns Up the Heat (Nov 2015) (11/1/2015)
(Charles Smith Wines Syrah Royal City Stoneridge Vineyard Washington) Subscribe to see review text. |
NOTE: Scores and reviews are the property of Vinous. (manage subscription channels) |
| K Vintners Producer websiteSyrah Varietal article (Wikipedia) | (Wines Northwest)
Note that some producers in the Northern Rhone distinguish between simply Syrah and "Serine", the latter described as ‘an ancient clone of Syrah, the berries of which are more oval-shaped and less deeply pigmented than Syrah’ by producer Tardieu-Laurent. USAAmerican wine has been produced since the 1500s, with the first widespread production beginning in New Mexico in 1628. Today, wine production is undertaken in all fifty states, with California producing 84% of all U.S. wine. The continent of North America is home to several native species of grape, including Vitis labrusca, Vitis riparia, Vitis rotundifolia, and Vitis vulpina, but the wine-making industry is based almost entirely on the cultivation of the European Vitis vinifera, which was introduced by European settlers. With more than 1,100,000 acres (4,500 km2) under vine, the United States is the fourth-largest wine producing country in the world, after Italy, Spain, and France.Washington Washington Wine Commission | Credit to Washingtonwine.org for this article
Washington Wine
Washington State is a premium wine producing region located in the northwest corner of the United States. Although a relatively young wine industry, it is now the nation's second largest wine producer and is ranked among the world's top wine regions. Washington wines are found nationally in all 50 states and internationally in more than 40 countries.
Wineries
With 30,000+ acres planted, the state has ideal geography and conditions for growing premium vinifera wine grapes. Primarily grown on their own root stocks, the vines produce grapes of consistent quality, resulting in strong vintages year after year. While its focus is on Chardonnay, Riesling, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, the region also produces a wide range of other spectacular whites and reds.
Growers
Winemakers from all over the world have chosen to establish themselves in Washington, where they can create wines reflecting this region's unique characteristics. Their hand-crafted wines are receiving wide acclaim from critics regionally, nationally and internationally for their consistently high quality. Many of them have received scores of 90 and above from the major wine media. Overall this is a higher percentage than other leading wine regions.
Regions
As the state's fourth largest fruit crop, the Washington wine industry is an important contributor to the long-term preservation of Washington agriculture. The industry is committed to sustainable agricultural practices and conservation of water resources.
Washington State is a premium wine producing region located in the northwest corner of the United States. Although a relatively young wine industry, it is now the nation's second largest wine producer and is ranked among the world's top wine regions. Washington wines are found nationally in all 50 states and internationally in more than 40 countries.
Varieties
Washington produces more than 20 wine grape varieties - a ratio of 56 percent white to 44 percent red. As the industry matures and experiments, it finds many grape varieties that thrive throughout Washington's microclimates. There are more than 16,000 vineyard acres of red wine varieties statewide.
History & Vintages
Washington's wine future is limitless. As consumers discover the quality of Washington wines, demand continues to grow nationally and internationally. New acreage and wine varietals are being planted and new wineries are opening at a remarkable pace. Washington State is recognized as a premium viticultural region around the world.
State Facts
Washington's wine industry generates more than $3 billion to the state economy. It employs more than 14,000 people, directly and indirectly, with projections to add nearly 2,000 more jobs by 2006. In terms of tax revenues accrued to the state and federal government, wine grapes are among the highest tax generators of any agricultural crops. Furthermore, Washington wine tourism attracts nearly two million visitors annually contributing to the positive growth of local and regional economies.
Washington State - the perfect climate for wine = ideal growing conditions, quality wines, business innovation, lifestyle, and social responsibility. All are key elements of this world-class wine industry.
Vintages
"2008 and even more so 2010 and 2011 were cool, even cold vintages (think: 2002 in the Barossa) without the extreme ripeness, extract and higher alcohol that had become the norm in the state’s post 1995 world. 2008 was manageable but the duo of 2010/2011 nearly caused a “great depression” in Washington State." - Jon RimmermanWashingtonRattlesnake Hills |
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