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2011 Dunham Cellars Lewis Vineyard Syrah

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Latest Sale Price

May 12, 2024 - $36

Estimate

RATINGS

94The Wine Advocate

Gorgeous blackberry, blueberry, wild herbs, licorice, chocolate and hints of crushed rock all emerge from this beauty, and it flows onto the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, bright acidity and a seamless, elegant profile.

91Wine Spectator

Sleek, lithe and expressive, this is lean but offers well-focused, licorice-accented blackberry and floral flavors on a polished frame. A hint of balsamic sneaks into the finish.

PRODUCER

Dunham Cellars

Dunham Cellars was founded by Mike and Joanne Dunham in Walla Walla in the early 1990s. The first commercial vintage was a 1995 Cabernet Sauvignon. Dunham owns interests in Washington vineyards and sources grapes from several Washington appellations. Dunham is known for its Cabernet Sauvignon, but it also produces Syrah, Chardonnay, Riesling and blends. It remains a family-owned winery.

REGION

United States, Washington, Columbia Valley

Columbia Valley AVA is larger than some states. At 18,000 square miles, or 11 million acres, the appellation covers almost half of Washington State and a small part of Oregon on the south side of the Columbia River. Established in 1984, Columbia Valley contains numerous sub appellations within its boundaries, including Yakima Valley AVA and Walla Walla AVA, both large and important wine districts. Columbia Valley AVA, generally called the Columbia Basin by Pacific Northwesterners, is in the Columbia River Plateau, and the AVA also includes a section of northeastern Oregon. There are dozens of microclimates within this appellation of about 7,000 vineyard acres. Many kinds of grapes are grown in the Columbia Valley, though the principal grapes planted are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Riesling, Syrah, Pinot Gris and Sauvignon Blanc. Eastern Washington experiences very hot summers and cold winters, and the northern latitude means that Washington vineyards receive several more hours of sun in the summer than California vineyards. Grapes in Washington therefore have time to develop significant tannins and overall ripeness.

TYPE

Red Wine, Syrah (Shiraz)

This grape is grown in milder climates and produces a medium-to full-bodied wine. It is also known as Shiraz, but should not be confused with Petit Sirah, which was developed by crossing Syrah with Peloursin.