2014 Maison Bleue Syrah Voyageur Yellow Jacket Vineyard

Full Pull

• By Paul Zitarelli
  Full Pull Maison Bleue, 10/25/2017, (See more on Full Pull...)

  (Maison Bleue Voyageur Syrah Yellow Jacket Vineyard) Hello friends. Limited trio of new releases today from the ultra-talented Jon Meuret of Maison Bleue, all single varieties from single vineyards in the Rocks District of the Walla Walla Valley. We typically get only one shot at these wines each year, and that shot comes now. When you factor in that all three wines have already received positive press pre-release, the likelihood of reorder availability dwindles further.After years of producing peaches and apples for the Waliser family, Yellow Jacket Vineyard was first planted to wine grapes down in the Rocks in 1999. Cabernet Sauvignon went in first, and Syrah followed two years later, in 2001, making these some of the oldest Syrah vines in this tiny, wonderful district. As you can see from thevineyard location, this site sits smack in the middle of the Rocks District. I wouldn’t call this overtly funky rocks Syrah, but it is without question savory, and especially meaty. This offers the full charcuterie plate – cured meats, smoked sausages, bacon fat – to go with a core of smoky blackberry and blueberry fruit (14.8% listed alc). The palate is tightly wound, suggesting this has years of fascinating evolution ahead. But it’s awfully delicious right now. Wine Enthusiast: Copyrighted material withheld.