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| Drinking Windows and Values |
| Community Tasting History |
| Community Tasting Notes (average 91.2 pts. and median of 91 pts. in 93 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by The Boy’s Will on 6/6/2023: A well rounded full bodied wine that goes well with almost any meal (894 views) | | | Tasted by 559Cheers on 5/19/2023 & rated 92 points: Drinking nice, somewhat fruit forward. Nice perfume on the nose. (731 views) | | | Tasted by SLOFred on 4/7/2023 & rated 88 points: No come-hither. It likely needs a 2-3 hour decant to really show as it really did not open up until 1-2 hours after opening. I will try another bottle in the next week to see. I will definitely decant that one. At this drinking, certainly not a $40 wine. (853 views) | | | Tasted by Ron Slye on 11/30/2022 & rated 92 points: This is consistently an excellent vintage for this wine Sone of the nice rocks savory notes with some good fruit and acidity. In a good place right now Not heading downhill yet but not sure if it will get better. But I will keep my last one for a few years to see! (1219 views) | | | Tasted by khmark7 on 11/13/2022 & rated 89 points: Wine was good. Could use a little more acidity and freshness.
Cork was fine. (1123 views) | | | Tasted by RPerro on 11/2/2022 & rated 92 points: Echoing my previous notes on this one, like almost exactly...including the cork that had almost seeped wine out of the bottle. Looking at the notes from others, seems this may be a recurring theme for this particular vintage. Drink now - 2030. (821 views) | | | Tasted by Ex-Ray on 10/13/2022 & rated 92 points: Surprisingly good for a $40 wine, held its own in a tasting of more expensive and prestigious syrahs. Prominent Northern Rhone character in the nose and on the palate, plenty of fruit, nicely balanced. Ready to drink.
Ric (1013 views) | | | Tasted by Pour Boy on 9/17/2022 flawed bottle: Flawed. Cork showed seepage. Bottle was defective. (753 views) | | | Tasted by Pour Boy on 9/17/2022 flawed bottle: Flawed. Cork showed seepage and bottle was spoiled. (646 views) | | | Tasted by knorthrip on 9/3/2022 & rated 92 points: PNP. Served with baby-back ribs. Red and purple fruits below some serious syrah meat/bacon/blood/soy sauce, with notes of cocoa, baking spice, and dried flowers. 14.5% EtoH, firm acidity, and fine med+ tannins. Leans toward acid in structure. Well balance but robust wine. (678 views) | | | Tasted by WAWINEFAN on 4/4/2022 & rated 92 points: Most excellent! (930 views) | | | Tasted by Djfermentation on 3/5/2022 & rated 92 points: A fun rather deep Syrah that went very well with Italian Sausages in marinara. Cork was indeed soaked almost entirely. (819 views) | | | Tasted by Ikesmith on 1/29/2022 & rated 92 points: Nice, could use a couple more years. Cork was fine. (758 views) | | | Tasted by j.a.price.trucking on 12/23/2021 & rated 89 points: Don’t usually do Washington syrahs but excited to crack into this gift. Deep dark red fruit bass notes. Chocolate and bacon fat. Nothing overpowering, which made this a pleasant drink. (767 views) | | | Tasted by fitchbuck on 10/9/2021 & rated 93 points: Confirmed: consistently my favorite Rotie. (1107 views) | | | Tasted by Atlantean on 6/13/2021: 30-45 slow ox. Beautiful dark cherry with classic Finnish. Did put in a bit Of ice for dinner in the Arizona sun. Was concerned about cork reports. No issues here. (1374 views) | | | Tasted by Ron Slye on 4/30/2021 & rated 91 points: First, this did not have a cork/seal problem. Second, this does seem young but it is still drinking nicely now too. Still seems a bot closed, so I would wait another 2 to 3 years for my next one. Some nice subtle thyme, dark fruit, some barnyard and subtle bright cherry near the finish. Still tight though. Not a strong rocks funk but that is not necessarily a bad thing. This feels focused, solid, and a bit tight. PnP riedel somm Syrah. (1111 views) | | | Tasted by ibglowin on 4/29/2021 & rated 91 points: Drink now. The wine would last another 10 years easily. The closure has failed. As others have noted before the cork has leaked the entire distance at this time. (1095 views) | | | Tasted by WineGalDT on 1/23/2021: Drinking well now. Glad I opened it since, as someone else mentioned, wine had seeped to the top of the cork. (1262 views) | | | Tasted by RPerro on 10/12/2020 & rated 92 points: P&P. This was drinking quite well. Rocks Funk on the nose, with lovely blackberry fruit, smoked meat, pepper and umami flavors. Glad I popped this when I did, as wine had seeped up the cork almost to the top. Drink now - 2030. (1645 views) | | | Tasted by knorthrip on 10/4/2020 & rated 91 points: Still a bit young. (1371 views) | | | Tasted by winebytoth on 9/12/2020 & rated 91 points: 30 minute decant and this opens up. Will come back in a year, drinking really well but I think it will improve a bit in a year or so (1220 views) | | | Tasted by mibuwolf83 on 6/14/2020 & rated 91 points: Popped and pour. Slightly chilled shows red fruits and orange peel flavors on the palate. As the wine warmed up, the wine showed more blue and black fruits, garrigue and stony element on the palate. Low tannins on the finish.
We drank the wine again for lunch the following day and the flavors of orange peel became more prominent, while the black and blue fruits became more subtle. There's also a stony element that is also in the back end of the palate. This feels like it is on the best drinking window now and within the next 2 years. (1556 views) | | | Tasted by willschenk on 6/3/2020 & rated 91 points: This bottle shows more typical Rocks Syrah character as the viognier component starts to settle into the background. Funky upon first opening, with smoke, black olive and bacon fat predominating. Blackberry, iron and orange peel underlie the meaty elements, forming a fairly cohesive whole. Lowish acidity, but it’s enough to carry this a few more years. (1402 views) | | | Tasted by jhanne8 on 5/12/2020 & rated 90 points: Definitely takes some time to open. Enjoyable after about 30 mins (1246 views) | | | Only displaying the 25 most recent notes - click to see all notes for this wine... |
| By James Suckling
JamesSuckling.com (3/17/2018)
(Rôtie Cellars Walla Walla Valley Northern Blend, Red, United States) Subscribe to see review text. | By Stephen Tanzer
Vinous, Washington: Various Shades of Hot (Oct 2017) (10/1/2017)
(Rotie Cellars Northern Blend Washington Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Paul Zitarelli
Full Pull, Full Pull Rotie (+FP Closed REMINDER) (7/8/2018)
(Rotie Cellars Northern Red) FP Closed REMINDER: We will be closed for pickups on Friday July 13 and Saturday July 14, returning to our normal hours July 19-21. ---- Hello friends. The first annual set of Washington wine reviews are out from Wine Advocate’s new Washington reviewer, William Kelley, and they have caused quite a stir. I have seen some claims on social media that Kelley obviously doesn’t care for Washington wine. That seems like a bridge too far for someone who gave 95pt-or-better reviews to a full 52 wines. What is clear is that his palate is quite different than that of his predecessor, Jeb Dunnuck. From a quick perusal of reviews, it seems that textural elegance, judicious use of oak, and overall sense of balance are of special importance to Kelley. Producers known for especially robust structural profiles (especially in the form of tannin) and/or a reliance on creamy, vanillin-flavored new oak are suffering dramatically in this transition. One winery that performed quite well in Kelley’s inaugural set of reviews was Rotie Cellars. We were already planning on a Rotie offer this fall, as I recently had two memorable visits with Sean Boyd in Walla Walla: one in his current production facility, where he showed me plans from acclaimed architect George Suyama for an ambitious new winery he’s building adjacent to his estate vineyard in the Rocks District; and another at the vineyard itself, called Rotie Rocks. This site is yet another data point in a growing body of evidence speaking to the unique beauty of the Rocks District, and it features prominently in one of the three wines we’re offering today. Please note: as you can see, the winery has already flipped vintages on all three of these wines: to 2017 for the Southern White and to 2016 for the Northern and Southern Reds. Sean has set aside a stash of today’s wines for us, but the hold is going to evaporate after we place our order. He has been inundated with distributor orders from around the country after the release of Kelley’s reviews, and we’re fortunate to have access at all. I need to send Sean orders by Thursday, so please try to make all requests by end of day Wednesday, and please understand these will all be one-and-done wines for us.This is a 94/6 Syrah/Viognier co-ferment (14.5% listed alc), with the Syrah portion coming entirely from Rotie’s 2010-planted estate vineyard, Rotie Rocks. Here is a good site containing a description, exact location, and plenty of pictures. This is a vineyard, and a wine, to monitor closely in years to come. For now it is one of the lowest-priced (perhaps *the* lowest-priced?) estate-grown single-vineyard Rocks Syrahs on the market, and it over-performs its tariff admirably. Wine Advocate: Copyrighted material withheld. |
NOTE: Scores and reviews are the property of JamesSuckling.com and Vinous and Full Pull. (manage subscription channels) |
| Rôtie Cellars Producer website
https://unwindwine.blogspot.com/2018/10/rotie-cellars-walla-walla-rhone-style.html
Syrah BlendThe 2018 is 40% Merlot and 60% Syrah.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 RimmermanColumbia Valley Columbia Cascade Winery Association
The Columbia Valley AVA lies mostly in Washington state, with a small section in Oregon. The Cascade Range forms its western boundary with the Palouse regions bordering the area to the east. To the north, the Okanogan National Forest forms a border with the AVA and Canada. It encompasses the valleys formed by the Columbia River and its tributaries, including the Walla Walla River, the Snake River, and the Yakima River. The Columbia valley stretches between the 46th parallel and 47th parallel which puts it in line with the well known French wine growing regions of Bordeaux and Burgundy. The northern latitude gives the areas two more hours of additional daylight during the summer growing season than wine regions of California receive. The volcanic and sandy loam soil of the valley offers good drainage and is poor in nutrients, ideal in forcing the vine to concentrate its resources into the grape clusters.Walla Walla ValleyThe name translates as easily as it rolls off the tongue: Walla Walla. Many Waters. To the earliest Native tribes, the many waters came from the nearby Blue Mountains and gathered to form the Walla Walla River on its way to join the Columbia to the west. The waters flowed first; however, into a fair-sized Valley carved in the mountain's foothills, and bordered in part by the terrain of what is known as the Columbia Plateau. Tribal members knew the Valley's generally milder climate could maintain their people in winter villages. There were lush wild grasses which could sustain horses and attract game from the winter snows of the nearby Blues, or from the giant high plateau that becomes desolate and dangerous during the cold season. The rolling terrain and numerous watersheds offered protection from nature and other hazards of the day. Here the water was plentiful and full of fish and seldom froze, even in the coldest years. The meadows were wonderful places to gather with other people to trade, compete and celebrate treaties. Compared to the region around them, the Walla Walla Valley was a safe refuge from the treacherous conditions which can often be found during the winter for hundreds of miles around. In this unique growing region, most of the earliest records of grapes and winemaking reference the Italians who had immigrated here in the mid to late 1800's and who brought with them their tradition of growing, making and drinking wine. Vines with these origins still exist in the Valley today. The first post-prohibition winery was Blue Mountain Vineyards. It was bonded in 1950 by the Pesciallo family where they produced Black Prince and other Italian varietal wines for a period of several years before succumbing to economics and climate. To the wine world of today, Walla Walla has become know for the quality and style of its red wines, especially Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot with Syrah gaining notoriety in recent years. In the1970's, the pioneers of today's wine community began to think similar thoughts: that the Walla Walla Valley, with its long history of fruit growing, moderate climate, wine-making heritage, and interesting terrain might just be a place to grow vines and make wine on a commercial scale. These pioneers of the region applied for and received approval of the Walla Walla Valley as a unique American Viticultural Area (AVA) in 1984. It was the third in Washington State and also includes a portion of land in Oregon. In the time leading to the recognition of the appellation, four wineries had been bonded starting with Leonetti Cellar, and shortly thereafter, Woodward Canyon. L'Ecole Nº 41 and Waterbrook soon followed. In addition to the smaller vineyards that were being planted, the Valley's first large-scale, commercial vineyard Seven Hills was established. By the time the BATF recognized the Walla Walla Valley AVA, the Valley was beginning to gain attention from within the wine industry, as well as attracting publicity from journalists and media outside the region. The foundation for today’s industry had been laid and the benchmark for quality had been set. In addition, fruit from the area was now being harvested and a baseline for understanding the local growing conditions was being constructed. Every few years another winery would join the fold and take up the challenge of producing the highest quality wine and the growing of outstanding fruit. Seven Hills Winery and Patrick M. Paul each got their start during this time. More vines were added, although acreage increases were small each year. The industry was small and everyone knew everyone else involved, while the welcome mat remained out for any newcomers. Growers and winemakers alike regularly shared time in the cellar or at the table and together learned more about wines and vines. By 1990 there were just six wineries and the Valley's grape acreage stood at perhaps 100 acres. The total collective production of wine was microscopic by any measure, but it was the quality that was being noticed by many inside and outside the trade. As the tiny trickle of wine produced in the Walla Walla AVA began to flow to the outside world, a "wine renaissance" was beginning to happen globally. The Pacific Northwest had staked a claim in this new wine world and as people learned about the region, they also began to hear about Walla Walla. This interest spread rapidly to those with Walla Walla connections. The early 1990s saw the planting of more vines and the establishment of another large-scale vineyard, Pepper Bridge. At the same time, a group of local investors, working closely with the Napa based Chalone Wine group, laid the foundation for Canoe Ridge Vineyard, the Valley's first winery supported in part by a major outside investor. As the industry has grown, many new wineries have gotten their start in the arms of an established winery. Waterbrook Winery's modern production facility started the trend, sharing space, equipment, and any help needed. Other wineries also adopted “extra guests,” a practice that has helped form close, personal relationships throughout the local industry. By the turn of the new century, the Walla Walla Valley wine industry had 22 wineries and 800 acres of grapes. In the year 2000 the AVA had been expanded back to the original boundaries proposed in the1984 application. The year 2000 also saw the formation of the Walla Walla Valley Wine Alliance with 100% of the Valley's wineries and 98% of the Valley's planted acreage represented. Today, more than 60 Walla Walla Valley wineries and more than 1,200 acres of Walla Walla Valley grapes contribute to the ever growing, international acclaim garnered by the wines of this newly-emerging region of Washington State. |
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