Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Today's Featured Wine #1: 2006 Barnard Griffin Syrah

Barnard Griffin Winery

Great Wine Profile

We don't mess around with swill at CellarThief...nope, only great wines at stellar prices. Here is another great find from the cellar...

2006 Barnard Griffin Syrah

On the Eastern side of the mountains in Washington, they are making some smokin' wines for dynamite prices - this is a great example. Washington is becoming the king of Syrah in these parts and this one is silky smooth and impossible not to like. Serve it to anybody and everybody and you'll having raging fans!!

Barnard Griffin 2006 Syrah


Barnard Griffin Winery: 2006 Syrah

Wine Spectator - 90 points
"Velvety in texture, this is generous with its cherry, pomegranate and sweet spice flavors, deftly balanced to slide some oak notes into the background. The finish lingers enticingly. Drink now through 2013."

Barnard Griffin Winery: Owner

Rob Griffin and Deborah Barnard

Barnard Griffin Winery: Region

Columbia Valley, Washington (Washington Wine)

Barnard Griffin Winery: Background

There's a great show on the Sundance Channel called "Iconoclasts"....all about interesting folks who have made life and adventure by doing things a bit differently and going the distance when nobody believed they could. Rob Griffin wouldn't be out of place on the show - a guy who didn't listen to his U.C. Davis instructors when they told him in the mid-1970's that you couldn't make great wine in Washington State. Wow, I guess those profs have eaten their words - and I also bet they have washed those words down with some of the great wines coming out of Washington.

Rob starting making wines under his own label in 1983 and has made wines at Hogue and Preston.

Barnard Griffin Winery: Wines Made

Barnard Griffin makes a number of hard not to like wines, including Fume Blanc, Chardonnay, Merlot, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon and Riesling.

Barnard Griffin Winery: Food Pairing

The 2006 Barnard Griffin Syrah is meaty and rich without being too over-the-top...the food you eat with it should be the same:

  • Cheese: A good ol' Stilton
  • Meat: Get yourself a big ol' Texas Brisket Sandwich - not too much BBQ needed (but bbq sauce never hurt anything)
  • Pasta: Heavy cream Alfredo (and we do mean HEAVY)
  • Other Suggestions: Elk or grilled pork loin with fruit compote

Barnard Griffin Winery: Wine Style.

This wine is a "Big Bomber"!
Like all "Big Bomber" wines - this one will almost make you go weak in the knees. With each sip, your teeth turn a deeper shade of red and your appetite starts roarin' for a big steak. These wines are mostly unruly in their youth (who isn't) though they are fun in their extra bit of danger (again, who isn't). Put them down in the cellar for a while and these wines will mature and shed the exuberance of youth without losing their fiery spirit.

 Great Wine. Wine Washington. Washington Wine. Washington Syrah.