Wine Label:
 |
Winemaker's Notes:
The 2008 vintage was cooler than 2007. While 2007 will go down as one of the best vintages in Washington, the 2008 was a bit more uneven. Stylistically, 2008 was our vintage. We like a little more acid and a little less alcohol in our wines than what a warm year like 2007 gives. The trick is to manage the vineyards properly and get the ripeness required. In order to achieve that, we dropped a lot more fruit in the vineyards, reducing our yields but maximizing ripeness.
Our initial target for the 2008 QED was 850 cases but the best blend only yielded 650 cases. So that’s the blend we chose (we couldn’t let potential revenue loss get in the way – there was more at stake).
By the time we bottled the 2008 QED in March 2010, the 2007 QED was already in bottle for a year. And it was noticeably a better wine than when it was released. So, we decided to age the 2008 in bottle for another year before releasing it. It has already garnered some great ratings. Strict selection and an uncompromising attitude are the keys to this blend. Reviews Wine Advocate 92 Points
The 2008 QED was made with 80% native fermentation with the wine then aged for 19 months in 22% new French oak. This year’s blend is 83% Syrah, 10% Grenache, 5% Mourvedre, and 2% Viognier. The Navarane brothers describe 2008 as a cooler year resulting in better acid structure. In this vintage they added a small percentage of stems. The wine is a glass-coating opaque with a splendid bouquet of Asian spices, incense, garrigue notes, black cherry, and blueberry. More high-toned than the 2007 and with a racy personality, on the palate it has plenty of spicy red and black fruits, lots of spice, excellent volume, and enough structure to evolve for 4-5 years. With additional bottle age it should gain considerable complexity, Drink it from 2014 to 2028.-JM
Wine Spectator 91 Points
Dense and distinctive for its sandalwood, green olive and tobacco overtones surrounding the lean core of blackberry and cherry. Shows intensity and personality. Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre and Viognier. Drink now through 2015. 675 cases made.–HS
International Wine Cellar 92 Points
Good deep red. Fascinating nose combines kirsch, pepper, sandalwood, tree bark, licorice and a whiff of white fruits. Densely packed, dry and quite suave, with compelling inner-mouth aromatic character. Manages to be penetrating and structured on the one hand and light on its feet too. The pH here is a fairly high 3.8 but this boasts terrific lift. Billo Naravane notes that vinifying with 15% whole clusters brought added complexity from the stems. Finishes ripe, dry and complex, with a distinct wildness.-ST |
