Seven Hills Vineyard Syrah (2001)

About this wine

The 2001 Rockblock Seven Hills Vineyard Syrah offers a rich and vibrant experience, showcasing luscious blackberry and black cherry fruit wrapped in cinnamon-spiced oak. This wine is sourced entirely from the Seven Hills Vineyard in the Walla Walla Valley of eastern Oregon. The palate is rich and round, with initial flavors of anise, blackberry preserves, cherry cordial, a slight hint of cedar, bramble, and unsweetened cocoa. The finish is long and sweet, with ripe tannins. Aged 17 months in small oak cooperage, 95% French and 5% American, with approximately 71% new barrels used.

About the grape

Syrah, a dark-skinned grape variety originating from France's Rhône Valley, has become a significant player in the Walla Walla Valley wine scene. The region's unique climate, characterized by hot days and cool nights, allows Syrah grapes to develop a balance of ripe fruit flavors and maintained acidity. Notably, the area's diverse soils, including the cobblestone-rich terrain of The Rocks District, impart distinctive earthy and savory notes to the Syrah produced here. Over time, Syrah has risen to become the second most widely planted grape variety in the Walla Walla Valley, reflecting its adaptability and the high-quality wines it yields in this region.

Quick facts

• 🍷 The 2001 Rockblock Seven Hills Vineyard Syrah was crafted by winemaker Tony Rynders, who has a rich background in enology and viticulture, including experience in Napa, Italy, and Australia.
• 🪵 This Syrah was aged for 17 months in small oak barrels, comprising 95% French and 5% American oak, with approximately 71% being new barrels, imparting complex flavors and aromas.
• 🌄 The Seven Hills Vineyard, established in 1980, is one of the first commercial vineyards in the Walla Walla Valley AVA, contributing significantly to the region's viticultural development.
• ⛰️ The vineyard's elevation ranges from 850 to 1,050 feet, providing excellent soil and air drainage, which contributes to the production of high-quality wine grapes.
• 🍇 The 2001 vintage of this Syrah is noted for its rich and round palate, featuring flavors of anise, blackberry preserves, cherry cordial, cedar, bramble, and unsweetened cocoa, leading to a long, sweet finish with ripe tannins.

Palate profile

Producer

Rockblock Cellars, based in Portland, Oregon, was originally established as a project by Domaine Serene Winery, focusing on producing Syrah wines sourced from select vineyards in Oregon and Washington. After a period of dormancy, the brand was revitalized in the early 2020s, emphasizing sustainability by utilizing lightweight glass bottles, traditional cork stoppers, and eliminating foil capsules to reduce environmental impact. The winery's commitment to crafting wines that reflect the rugged terroir of the Pacific Northwest is evident in their offerings, such as the Seven Hills Syrah, which showcases the unique characteristics of the region's vineyards. Rockblock Cellars continues to blend traditional winemaking techniques with innovative practices to create distinctive wines that resonate with both history and modernity.