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2019 Gravitas Estate Syrah

Varietal

93% Syrah (30% whole cluster; clone 470 and Joseph Phelps 50% ea.), co-fermented with 7% Viognier

Technical Details

Date Harvested: October 4, 2019
Brix: 24.9, pH: 4.0, T.A.: 5.2 g/l
Fermentation Style: Co-Fermentation Syrah & Viognier; Neutral Open-Topped French Oak Barrels
Days on Skins: 10
Yeast: Syrah Yeast

Nutrients: DAP, Fermaid K
ML Strain: PN4
ETOH: 14.0%
Aging Protocol: 19 Months - 70% New French Oak
Bottled: June 2019

Accolades

Great Northwest Wine: Platinum - 93 points
For the second time in three years, Denis Hyatt, a product of Walla Walla Community College's winemaking program, has produced a Platinum with Syrah from his estate downstream from McNary Dam. Once again, it's a supple and elegant example of Syrah, one that offers classic notes of cured meat, blackberry jam, black pepper, and lasting pulse of blueberry juice.

 

NW Wine Panel: 91 points
This tiny production wine is coming into its own after a bit of time to integrate after bottling. The wine is becoming softer and richer, with dark berry fruits and a touch of very dark chocolate, coconut, and just a bit of bramble and savory notes. While there are tannins, they linger mostly on the finish, while the ripe Horse Heaven Vineyard fruit takes the lead.
91 points in the $25 to $35 category - The Wine Panel (December 2, 2021)

 

Bellingham NW Wine Festival: Gold

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Library Wines

Previous Vintages of Joseph Christy Wines

2018 Gravitas Estate Syrah

93% Syrah (clone 470 and Joseph Phelps 50% ea.), co-fermented with 7% Viognier

Accolades

"Flawless from start to finish, it opens with pretty, floral aromatics of violets and rose petals, and carries a round, velvety fullness with beautifully integrated tannins. There’s plenty of purple, black, and jammy red raspberry fruit, decidedly Washington/New World in nature, but complementary rather than overwhelming on all fronts. Beneath the opening layers you’ll find nuances of cinnamon, clove, butterscotch, and vanilla bean that reveal themselves as the wine opens up."

– Dan Ridal, President, Whatcom Beer & Wine Foundation

Amongst a flight of Washington Syrah's, this wine stood out as different from the pack. While most appreciate the typical robust blueberry juiciness from Syrah, this wine takes a left turn and heads somewhere thru the Rhone Valley of France, where the wine has more savory and herbal elements and isn't quite as concentrated. Instead it has nice balance, has just enough bright acid to keep it light on it's feet but not light in color or flavor. Fermented in neutral, open-topped French Oak barrels along with 7% Viognier, then aged gracefully for 19 months in French Oak. An intriguing style amongst the backdrop of many jammy Washington Syrah’s.
90 Points in the $25-$35 Category - The Wine Panel

2017 Gravitas Estate Syrah - SOLD OUT

95% Syrah co-fermented with 5% Viognier

Accolades

Old Word Sensibility. New World Pioneering.