2020 Latta Wines Syrah Lawrence Vineyard

110 cs. made. $52/btl.

94 pts. Vinous 

100% Syrah sourced from Lawrence Vineyard (the longtime home of our Roussanne) in the Royal Slope AVA. All native, loads of whole cluster, hand punched down, and basket pressed; this wine carries Rhone aromatics coupled with Washington intensity. The nose opens with tapenade on grilled bread moving to macerated blackberry, rosemary, and cracked pepper that continues on the palate. A seamless wine with polished tannin and a finish that goes on and on. 

Lawrence vineyard is a cool site overlooking the Royal Slope and the Saddle Mountains to the south. The Syrah block sits at 1375 feet of elevation in Taunton silt loam soils that give way to broken basalt. The sloped elevation of Lawrence gives it protection from frost that wreaks havoc in vineyard sites lower on the slope. The long season at Lawrence gives us intense flavor and color while retaining freshness and vitality.