Perhaps my pallet is changing, but this one tasted different. Strong Syrah, but did not really pull through the other wines. I noticed a bit more of the ABV burn too.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Winemaker Dave Phinney has captured the spirit of Washington State Syrah, accented by Merlot, and Petit Sirah. His latest Locations WA-4 is rife with sumptuous blueberries, blackberries, cassis, vanilla, incense; it's medium-bodied in the mouth with a core of sweet, juicy fruit nicely counterbalanced and bound by acidity and powdery tannins. A finish of bay leaf, cocoa, and warm spice. 15.0% ABV | Sample
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Thick and dark as motor oil, took 24 hours to come around for me. Dark fruit, mocha syrup, coffee. Best on its own and also best served a little cooler. Actually contains the high alcohol with the massive fruit and density.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Nose is crushed blackberry and white flowers. Color is deep and inky. This blend is rich and smooth. Blackberry, cherry, cocoa, and just a touch of mint. The finish shows developing cedar notes which should become more apparent over the next 2-3 years. This one stands out from other Washington wines for it's almost complete lack of peppery, acidic bite.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Dark purple. Oak and eucalyptus dominate the nose. A silky smooth palate with flavors of dark berries, plums and cocoa. Mild tannins. Medium body. Medium finish. Straight forward and easy drinking. Recommend drinking now.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
BIG, smooth, a little flabby (chill it some - it helps) decent qpr, mouth coating. Great with Pizza. Definitely an Eastern Washington Syrah blended something or another.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
I am surprised by the relatively glowing reviews for this wine. I have generally liked the "Locations" bottlings that I have tried, but this wine was simply too over the top. I aerated the wine with a Vinturi into a large Riedel decanter. Color - opaque blackish/purple. Nose is overly candied and the wine was simply syrupy, with spoofilated black fruit and no definition. If you like blackberry syrup, you will love this wine. You are better off buying Columbia Crest (which I do not recommend!).
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
I said this was "pretty powerful" wine, wife thought it left her thirsty. I enjoyed the wine, really thin and rich. Tons of blueberries and strawberries. Very much a Washington wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Enjoyed equally as much as I did on 1/6/17. Lovely, inky, dark purple with a fruit forward (albeit one-dimensional) plum & blueberry nose. Sweet and peppery throughout.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Let it breath- very dark wine that hits its stride after 30-40 minutes - smooth black berries, currants and cherries. Coats the tongue and left me looking for more.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Think this may be one of the best of the location series – really smooth and wonderful flavors that develop won't you let it open up for a good 45 minutes- definite great QPR and really good regardless of price - order more
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Pretty dark and dank wine, not in a bad way. Really hits home on the strong points of WA wine, like black berries, currants and cherries. Coats the tongue and has great body.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
I am revising my score after 24 hours of air. The exuberant fruit has toned down and, while remaining extremely fruit forward, has much better balance and some nuance. Definitely better today, on day #2 but still, a little, one-dimensional. Perhaps its needs more bottle time. Yesterday, I scored it an 80 and my original note is below.
Dark purple. Plum jam nose. Concentrated flavors of sweet, stewed plums and pepper on the ending. Fruit forward, "over-ripe" fruit with subdued tannins. Too "sweet, too concentrated and "cloying". Over-extracted, over-ripe, overdone. Not for me.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
I second the "outstanding" comment for the wine that it is. A dark, inky and juicy Syrah, blended with Merlot and Petite Syrah. Beautiful running legs down the glass. Ripened fruit on the nose - especially blueberry, anise, and grass. Strong fruit and earthy complex wine. While I have always been nonplussed about these "Location" wines, this one is a winner (Dave Phinney at the helm didn't hurt). Although ready to drink now, it will also hold well for several years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
A nose of dark fruits and spices, dark purple in color. A medium to full bodied red blend with blackberry, currants, chocolate spices on finish, an interesting wine. www.winelx.com
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This particular location wine in the series is a blend of fruits from all over Washington State. It’s primarily a Syrah blend with Merlot and Petite Syrah. It’s best to let this wine breath for at least a good hour to bring out the best it has to offer. It opens up nicely and the flavor profile reveals good dark fruit and ripe berries that are quite pronounced. The wine is medium bodied and smooth, with a nice tannic structure that is not too heavy. The varietal blend seems well balanced and has a nice long lasting finish that is not too dry and has a little smokiness and hint of spice. It’s a nice wine to compliment a variety of dishes and can easily be enjoyed by most earthy, drier red wine drinkers. We found this one to be one of our favorite location wines thus far. Drink well and enjoy!
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Decanted for one hour. What a beautifully balanced Syrah blend from Washington state. Dark fruit notes and soft oak on initial palate, this wine transitions into an elegant and lasting finish. Good QPR. Highly recommended.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
1/1/2021 - chelidon Likes this wine: 88 Points
About at the end of it's run, but still a solid hit, nice pairing with a rosemary lamb shank.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/10/2020 - garetjax_kison wrote: 86 Points
Popped and poured. Similar notes as before.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/11/2020 - kmicho Likes this wine: 90 Points
Love this. Awesome QPR. Tremendously well balanced.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/27/2019 - hcnate Likes this wine: 88 Points
Perhaps my pallet is changing, but this one tasted different. Strong Syrah, but did not really pull through the other wines. I noticed a bit more of the ABV burn too.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/2/2019 - hcnate wrote: 91 Points
Lovely fruit bomb again, always a pleasure to consume. I like the body on the wine - really lucious.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/23/2019 - garetjax_kison wrote: 86 Points
Popped and poured making dinner. Decent QPR. Not loving the blend - the syrah is overpowering everything else.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/14/2018 - BC28 Does not like this wine:
This wine was undrinkably bad, we poured it down the sink.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/6/2018 - hcnate wrote: 91 Points
This wine is pretty underrated in the cellar, but always generates a really good response. Bright red, luscious.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/1/2018 - MsDee wrote: 90 Points
Very delicious. Big fruit, spice, longer finish. Buy again!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/27/2018 - Christine Havens Likes this wine: 90 Points
Winemaker Dave Phinney has captured the spirit of Washington State Syrah, accented by Merlot, and Petit Sirah. His latest Locations WA-4 is rife with sumptuous blueberries, blackberries, cassis, vanilla, incense; it's medium-bodied in the mouth with a core of sweet, juicy fruit nicely counterbalanced and bound by acidity and powdery tannins. A finish of bay leaf, cocoa, and warm spice. 15.0% ABV | Sample
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/30/2018 - 1winemaven Likes this wine: 92 Points
Lovely, easy drinking Washington red. Dave Phinney seldom disappoints....
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/4/2018 - saxwizerd45 wrote: 88 Points
Thick and dark as motor oil, took 24 hours to come around for me. Dark fruit, mocha syrup, coffee. Best on its own and also best served a little cooler. Actually contains the high alcohol with the massive fruit and density.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/2/2018 - Alok Kapoor Likes this wine: 91 Points
Loved it. Fruit forward. Great finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/28/2018 - hcnate wrote: 90 Points
Ground pound wine, really nice with big beautiful fruit. Still very powerful.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/30/2017 - Minne Lusa Likes this wine: 89 Points
Nose is crushed blackberry and white flowers. Color is deep and inky. This blend is rich and smooth. Blackberry, cherry, cocoa, and just a touch of mint. The finish shows developing cedar notes which should become more apparent over the next 2-3 years. This one stands out from other Washington wines for it's almost complete lack of peppery, acidic bite.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/18/2017 - Smudge4! Likes this wine: 89 Points
Nice easy drinking Syrah. Yummy and ready
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/27/2017 - In vino potestus est Likes this wine: 86 Points
Dark purple. Oak and eucalyptus dominate the nose. A silky smooth palate with flavors of dark berries, plums and cocoa. Mild tannins. Medium body. Medium finish. Straight forward and easy drinking. Recommend drinking now.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/3/2017 - UpfromtheCellar wrote: 88 Points
BIG, smooth, a little flabby (chill it some - it helps) decent qpr, mouth coating. Great with Pizza. Definitely an Eastern Washington Syrah blended something or another.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/7/2017 - 1winemaven Likes this wine: 92 Points
Loved this one - lived up to my expectations for a Dave Phinney blend. Wish I had bought more!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/1/2017 - Jdog Does not like this wine: 85 Points
I am surprised by the relatively glowing reviews for this wine. I have generally liked the "Locations" bottlings that I have tried, but this wine was simply too over the top. I aerated the wine with a Vinturi into a large Riedel decanter.
Color - opaque blackish/purple. Nose is overly candied and the wine was simply syrupy, with spoofilated black fruit and no definition. If you like blackberry syrup, you will love this wine. You are better off buying Columbia Crest (which I do not recommend!).
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/3/2017 - hcnate wrote: 90 Points
I said this was "pretty powerful" wine, wife thought it left her thirsty. I enjoyed the wine, really thin and rich. Tons of blueberries and strawberries. Very much a Washington wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/20/2017 - ChopperWine Likes this wine: 89 Points
Enjoyed equally as much as I did on 1/6/17. Lovely, inky, dark purple with a fruit forward (albeit one-dimensional) plum & blueberry nose. Sweet and peppery throughout.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/16/2017 - jmprtt06 wrote:
Maggie and Don for Easter dinner
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/25/2017 - Ryan G wrote: 91 Points
Dark fruit, blueberry, spice, nice finish. Opened up nicely after 30 minutes. Great wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/18/2017 - RMacFMayer Likes this wine: 90 Points
Let it breath- very dark wine that hits its stride after 30-40 minutes - smooth black berries, currants and cherries. Coats the tongue and left me looking for more.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/12/2017 - RMacFMayer Likes this wine: 92 Points
Think this may be one of the best of the location series – really smooth and wonderful flavors that develop won't you let it open up for a good 45 minutes- definite great QPR and really good regardless of price - order more
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/8/2017 - Birkmeier wrote: 90 Points
Fantastic qpr
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/3/2017 - hcnate wrote: 90 Points
Pretty dark and dank wine, not in a bad way. Really hits home on the strong points of WA wine, like black berries, currants and cherries. Coats the tongue and has great body.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/30/2017 - In vino potestus est Likes this wine: 87 Points
I am revising my score after 24 hours of air. The exuberant fruit has toned down and, while remaining extremely fruit forward, has much better balance and some nuance. Definitely better today, on day #2 but still, a little, one-dimensional. Perhaps its needs more bottle time. Yesterday, I scored it an 80 and my original note is below.
Dark purple. Plum jam nose. Concentrated flavors of sweet, stewed plums and pepper on the ending. Fruit forward, "over-ripe" fruit with subdued tannins. Too "sweet, too concentrated and "cloying". Over-extracted, over-ripe, overdone. Not for me.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/15/2017 - HarveyLarvae Likes this wine: 92 Points
Phinney is a damn wizard. No such thing as a pedestrian Locations blend.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/6/2017 - ChopperWine Likes this wine: 89 Points
I second the "outstanding" comment for the wine that it is. A dark, inky and juicy Syrah, blended with Merlot and Petite Syrah. Beautiful running legs down the glass. Ripened fruit on the nose - especially blueberry, anise, and grass. Strong fruit and earthy complex wine. While I have always been nonplussed about these "Location" wines, this one is a winner (Dave Phinney at the helm didn't hurt). Although ready to drink now, it will also hold well for several years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/5/2017 - Winestache Likes this wine: 90 Points
Outstanding. Complex flavors of blackberry with long finish. Slightly acidic.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/1/2017 - Ilikadajuice Likes this wine: 90 Points
Pretty good for the price
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/13/2016 - orlypann Likes this wine: 91 Points
Consistent with my last notes. Definite rebuy and good QPR.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/8/2016 - corkscrews Likes this wine: 89 Points
A nose of dark fruits and spices, dark purple in color. A medium to full bodied red blend with blackberry, currants, chocolate spices on finish, an interesting wine. www.winelx.com
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/10/2016 - cavedivr Likes this wine: 90 Points
Lovely. Cotton candy and bubble gum. Strange, but nice!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/5/2016 - Wine Of The Moment Likes this wine: 89 Points
This particular location wine in the series is a blend of fruits from all over Washington State. It’s primarily a Syrah blend with Merlot and Petite Syrah. It’s best to let this wine breath for at least a good hour to bring out the best it has to offer. It opens up nicely and the flavor profile reveals good dark fruit and ripe berries that are quite pronounced. The wine is medium bodied and smooth, with a nice tannic structure that is not too heavy. The varietal blend seems well balanced and has a nice long lasting finish that is not too dry and has a little smokiness and hint of spice. It’s a nice wine to compliment a variety of dishes and can easily be enjoyed by most earthy, drier red wine drinkers. We found this one to be one of our favorite location wines thus far. Drink well and enjoy!
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
3/20/2016 - orlypann Likes this wine: 91 Points
Decanted for one hour. What a beautifully balanced Syrah blend from Washington state. Dark fruit notes and soft oak on initial palate, this wine transitions into an elegant and lasting finish. Good QPR. Highly recommended.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
2/20/2016 - jimmyrice14 wrote: 92 Points
Dave Phinney strikes again...a very reasonably priced blend this time from WA state...bravo.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment