Some wines just taste like home.
You know that question? The one where you're asked, "If you were stranded on a desert island, and had only one wine to drink, every day, which wine would it be?" My first response is always, "Champagne!" and my second response, "Washington Syrah!"
Syrah, Washington Syrah, offers a tremendous amount of complexity, in aromatics and flavors. Washington Syrah is reflective of place, and shows a tremendous amount of variation from vineyard to vineyard site. So, don't expect all Washington Syrah's to taste the same. They don't! And I believe that's good. I love the diversity of styles, and even the nuance of some of the blends being produced. This wine today hit my sweet spot, particularly on day one.
The 2015 Charles Smith Wines Boom Boom Syrah is exceptionally good. Even better at a reasonable retail price below $20. Plus, it tastes of Washington, it tastes of home. And it was difficult not to drink in one sitting. I've been drinking Boom Boom Syrah since I first met Charles Smith in 2008. And will continue to do so.
Strongly recommended, especially if you have not yet embraced Washington Syrah.
Tasting Notes: Charles Smith Wines 2015 Boom Boom Syrah
Color: Deepest ruby.
Nose: Earthy, perfumed with violets, spice, plum, hint of gingerbread and orange peel.
Palate: Smooth, candied cherry, violets, dry on cheeks, medium body, gingerbread and lavender with a tingle into the medium plus finish. Like.
After 30 minutes: Earthy violets with a funky dip, slate, graphite, tarragon, plum. Full bodied, fine tannin, earthy, minerality, plum, lavender, slate, tarragon, with coffee and a tingle into the medium plus finish. Big like.
Only open 30 minutes, and a significant difference in how well it showed. Yum!
One hour: Floral nose, violets, lavender, tar and blueberry. Classic Washington Syrah. Enjoyable richness, balanced as the flavors reflected the aromas, comforting blanket of tannin on cheeks, gums and tongue, savory and floral, with chocolate gingerbread into the delicious finish.
Strongly Recommended you drink at one hour.
Day two: Tar, violets, licorice, blueberries, spice, bacon fat on nose. Flavors of Blueberries, cola, tarragon, fine tannin, tingle on tongue, bitter coffee and violets into the medium finish. Still pretty good, Wants food. So perfect time to plan a meal around this wine.
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| 2015 Boom Boom Syrah made to pair with Bellavitano balsamic cheese. |
Thoughts: Fantastic with Bellavitano balsamic cheese. Also enjoyed with beef polish sausage cooked in wine, chicken stock, onions, garlic, thyme, basil and tomatoes. Super drinkable on the first day. My suggestion is to drink now. Thank me later.
Strongly recommended you drink now.
Application: Drink, Pair, Lubricate.
State: Washington
Region: Columbia Valley
Blend: 96% Syrah, 3% Viognier, 1% Grenache
Vineyards: Art Den Hoed, Pheasant, Weyns, Arete, Gamache
Closure: Screw Cap
ABV: 13.5%
SRP: $18
In 2008, Charles Smith Wines was recognized by Wine & Spirits magazine as one of the "Best New Wineries of the Last Ten Years," and as "Winery of the Year" in their annual buying guide. In 2009, Food & Wine magazine awarded Charles "Winemaker of the Year", in 2010 Seattle Magazine recognized Charles as their "Winemaker of the Year", and in 2014, Wine Enthusiast also named him "Winemaker of the Year".
The Charles Smith Wines brand was themed as "The Modernist Project," which focuses on the way people generally consume wine today: immediately. The intent, to create wines to be enjoyed now, but with true typicality of both the variety and the vineyard. My speed.
Cheers!