Wild Falafel? No, Alfalfa. You know, the green stuff in the fields, not the stuff for pita sandwiches.
This syrah is killer! Brett Isenhower says it’s his favorite syrah that he’s ever made. And now I understand why.
We recently filmed another episode of “Roots & Vines” and tasted only ONE wine… and this was it, the Isenhower Wild Alfalfa. Weighing in at 14.7% I wasn’t sure how it would be. In fact, although I trust Brett a great deal, I was wary of a big, overpowering red. Boy, was I wrong. This wine is a winner.
On the nose I found blackberries, marionberries, hints of slate and herbs, and white pepper after it had opened up a bit. The mouthfeel was full, rich, and surprisingly smooth given it’s tannins and stone fruit. Milk chocolate, blueberries, a hint of gaminess–in a good way–and somehow I can’t quite get out of my head the image of the Bering Sea Coast, beautiful mountain ranges in the background, tundra and alder brush for miles as I stand with the sea at my back. We used to collect glass balls, fallen from old Japanese fishing nets, where they washed up along the coastline.
For as full of Washington as the Wild Alfalfa might be, I am surprisingly transported to Alaska by its taste and smell.
This young, tart and tannic blend of grapes from the Horse Heaven Hills and Red Mountain appellations will please those who like a tight, herbal, snappy, peppery, Washington take on syrah. I believe this will age quite nicely for six to eight years. –Paul Gregutt, Seattle Times and Wine Enthusiast, April 2007
There is something magical about this wine. And it’s not just the homage to Winston, the family’s dear departed dog, on the label. It is special, worth sharing, and certainly worth mentioning. It was lovely to find the words above from Paul Gregutt to see that I wasn’t alone in my positive assessment of the Wild Alfalfa.
I prefer this any day to the actual alfalfa I used to munch on as a small child with the neighbors in the fields.
Keep your eyes–and taste buds–open for this treat from Brett and Denise Isenhower. If you can’t find it in your local shop, check Walla Walla Wine Cellar where I think we may have a few bottles that have not yet been spoken for.
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