YEAR: 2017

BLEND:
60% Syrah (WA)
25% Cabernet Sauvignon (WA)
10% Cabernet Franc (WA)
5% Petite Sirah (WA, CA)

SOURCE:
Syrah – Red Mountain AVA, WA
Syrah – Pace Vineyard – Yakima AVA, WA
Cabernet Sauvignon – Shaw Vineyard – Red Mountain AVA, WA
Cabernet franc – Six Prong Vineyard – Horse Heaven Hills AVA, WA
Petite Sirah -Bartolucci Vineyard – Red Hills Lake County, CA, WA

ABV: 15%

WINEMAKER NOTES: The 2017 vintage in Washington state was marked by a significant cooling trend in late September that lasted for the remainder of harvest. The delay in ripening provided the luxury of extended hang time and prompted both gradual and even ripening. Inspired by some of Australia’s most famous blends, we combined soft, lush Syrah with firmly structured Cabernet Sauvignon, aromatic Cabernet franc, and just a touch of our deeply intense Lake County Petite Sirah. Aged in 37% new oak for added complexity and 63% neutral barrels to allow the fruit to shine through, this wine is one of our premier blends of the vintage.

AWARDS:

• Best in Class (Syrah Blend)—2022 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
• Platinum/94 points – Great Northwest Platinum Awards 2021
• Double Gold – 2022 Cascadia Wine Competition
• Gold – 2021 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
• Gold – 2021 San Francisco International Wine Competition

PAIRING SUGGESTIONS:

• Grilled sausage with roasted vegetables
• Lamb
• Venison
• Rib-eye steak with maitre d’ butter
• Flavorful cheeses

PRICE:
$18.00 bottle / $120.00 case
$32 bottle

Two sites on Red Mountain, including acclaimed Shaw Vineyard — pour the foundation for this blend of Rhône and Bordeaux varieties by Maine winemaker Aaron Peet. Syrah (60%), Cabernet Sauvignon (25%), Cabernet Franc (10%) and Petite Sirah combine for whiffs of black and blue fruit with mint and sage. The fruit turns purple and flows over the top of remarkably smooth tannins, moving from blackberry and plum to blueberry and boysenberry. This signals the third straight vintage of Peet’s Aurora program to earn Platinum. – Great Northwest Wine