Kerloo Walla Walla Valley Syrah 2012

I love Kerloo’s wines because they are made in a hands-off, low-intervention style. Natural yeasts. Concrete tanks and minimal oak. Grapes lovingly foot-stomped to gently extract juice. This Syrah is fermented with the grape clusters included, which adds spicy, funky green notes. A tiny percentage of Viognier adds gorgeous floral aromatics.

On the nose this wine is generous, with ripe blackberries and blueberry compote aromas, not to mention a bunch of funktastic savory notes: black pepper, green olive, smoked meat, and curing spices. On the palate, this wine is silky blue fruit and flowers with a hint of smoke, tangy barbecue, and curry. Pair this with anything cooked on the grill or over live fire.