Jolie Bouche Syrah

Jolie Bouche Syrah

With the changing seasons it’s time to start pouring those deep bold wines to enjoy on these cool evenings.  My favorite Washington wine to pull out right now is the Syrah. Syrah is actually the third most planted grape in Washington’s Wine Country, only behind Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Syrah’s are perfect wine for this time of year they have medium acidity and medium tannins so they help transition us from our light Rosés of summer to the bold Cabernet Sauvignons of winter. 

One of my favorite Syrah’s is the Jolie Bouche Syrah from EFESTĒ in Woodinville. This wine is powerful and yet extremely elegant.  Once it is in your glass you will see a dark full bodied purplish red wine. The wine starts off with olive and cured meats but opens to beautiful orange, plum and herbs. As it crosses your palette it will be like dark ripe berries are having a party in your mouth.

Jolie Bouche Syrah is not just a delicious wine it is also a food friendly wine.  It’s actually the perfect wine for pairing with autumn dishes such as roasted pork shoulder. For a vegetarian option an Eggplant Puttanesca is my go to pairing. The salty briny Puttanesca with the roasted eggplant pairs perfectly with a glass of this Syrah.

Last year I helped sort the 2016 Vintage of Jolie Bouche Syrah! 

Make a trip out to Woodinville to visit EFESTĒ or visit their new tasting room in SODO, just south of Safeco Field. EFESTĒ is a true family winery and they welcome you in as if you are family. Helen and Daniel Ferrelli welcome you in to the winery in Woodinville with open arms. While Daniel pours you a tasting Helen is typically on site in their state of the art kitchen preparing a delicious meal.

All of EFESTĒ wines are complex with great character. A few of my other favorites are the Lola Chardonnay and Upright Merlot. Both of these wines are delicious the Lola which is named after Daniel and Helens Granddaughter is aged in neutral oak so that makes it not a heavy oak driven wine like most Chardonnays. The Upright Merlot, name is a play on the Sideways movie is a classic, rich and velvety wine. Even Martha Stewart loves EFESTĒ; she has been known to recommend the Evergreen Riesling, which is a dry elegant food friendly wine. There are numerous other wines that EFESTĒ winemaker Peter Davison makes so you will be sure to find one that is your new favorite. 

This review was published in the Laurelhurst Windermere Living Magazine.