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Review: 2008 Bombing Range Red by McKinley Springs

A tribute wine.

Bombing Range Red is made by McKinley Springs, a family owned and operated winery in the Horse Heaven Hills AVA of Washington State. Doug Rowell is the winemaker and Rob Andrews is the grower. I like the label on this bottle, the graphic novel look is fun, bright and easy to spot on the shelf. It also tells a story. Bombing Range Red is a tribute to the history of the Horse Heaven Hills and our troops. During WWII, families in the Horse Heaven Hills were asked to leave their farms so the area could be used to train fighter pilots. Their farms became a bombing range.
2008 Bombing Range Red and BBQ ribs.

This is the third bottle of Bombing Range Red I have had at home. The first bottle disappeared quickly at a party, I had only a taste. The second bottle I drank with friends, outside by a fire pit, while smoking a cigar. This bottle I intentionally purchased for review. I had no distractions, no company, no smoke, no cigar, just me and the wine...well, and some BBQ ribs.

This wine opened with a short nose and flavors of plum, spice, oak, and blackberry. It was pleasantly dry, with medium tannins and good weight. While there was a touch of heat at first, it faded after an hour. Also, the flavor profile lengthened and added some earthiness with mushroom, accompanied by creamy dark fruit, coffee, chocolate and just enough acidity to keep it focused. For $9.99 there is a lot of value in the bottle and it was a great match to the ribs. *Recommended.

Release Info:
Blend: 52% Syrah, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Malbec, 4% Petit Verdot
Aged in neutral oak for 18 months
ABV 14.6%
Production: 2,385 cases
Closure: Screwcap
I paid $9.99

www.mckinleysprings.com

* McKinley Springs Winery will be pouring at Taste Washington Seattle on March 31st and April 1st stop by and sample their Dry Chenin Blanc, Syrah and Malbec.

Related article: McKinley Springs 2007 Syrah Horse Heaven Hills Review 

McKinley Springs has distributors/agents in Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, North Carolina, New York, Oregon, and Tennessee. Details are here: www.mckinleysprings.com/trade_media.html

Cheers!
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