A Wine for Tonight: 2006 Snoqualmie Syrah



By Kori ~ December 24th, 2009.

2006 Snoqualmie SyrahWould you like a quick suggestion for a good wine to drink tonight (or this weekend) that won’t break your budget and is widely available? Many of our readers have said this is something they would like, so here is this week’s selection, the 2006 Snoqualmie Syrah from the Columbia Valley of Washington State.

Our selection criteria include:

  • A very good Quality rating of >=3.5 stars (out of 5)
  • A price tag of <=$15
  • Must be widely available

With winter setting in and the weather getting colder, we tend to eat heartier foods, and with that go stouter wines like Syrah. One of our longtime value favorites has been Snoqualmie Syrah. When Snoqualmie winemaker, Joy Andersen, began her career, there were only 24 winemakers in Washington State and even fewer women in the winemaking industry. Her winemaking philosophy is to “keep it simple.”

Snoqualmie has been producing good value wines from Columbia Valley vineyards for more than twenty years and is a part of the Ste. Michelle Wine Estates group. It was one of the first wineries in the state to make wines from USDA-certified organically grown grapes, and as of 2008 had the largest certified organic vineyard in the state.

“Rich black fruit aromas of blackberry and blueberry mingle with herbal, smoky tones. The palate shows rich fruit with subtle oak impressions and luscious, soft tannins. A perfect wine to pair with roast duck or turkey.” –Winemaker Joy Andersen on the 2006 Syrah

2006 Snoqualmie Syrah (Columbia Valley, Washington): Dark purple in color. Very aromatic with smoked meats, mint, and black fruit on the nose; blackberry and BBQ sauce on the palate. Medium to full-bodied with lively acidity, medium to high tannins, and a long, smooth finish.
Quality: 3.5 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 5 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Fred Meyer (Seattle), $8; Available elsewhere, $8 to $11


Filed under: A Wine for Tonight, American Wine, Five-Bangs For Your Buck Wines, Red Wine, Shiraz/Syrah, Washington State Wine, Wines Under $10, Wines Under $15, Wines Under $20, Wines Under $25

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