Rotie Cellars is focused on Rhone style wines, such as Syrahs and GSMs. Winemaker Sean Boyd utilizes old world techniques, coupled with high quality Washington varietals, sourcing from their Rotie Rocks Estate Vineyard. The result is finessed wine with vibrancy, less alcohol and less oak, and a much more honest and clean product.
Tasting notes are from Rotie Cellars
2020 Little G
100% Grenache
Aromatics of basalt and graphite layered into a beautiful red raspberry. The red fruits meld into an exhilarating array of roses, tea tree, and the unmistakable mineral fingerprint of Devil's Gate Grenache. $65.
Notable minerality. 90 points.
2020 SOUTHERN BLEND
65% Grenache, 25% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre
Two thirds of the Grenache and all of the Syrah is now sourced from our Rötie Rocks Estate which is a departure from years past. The result is a sultry, lighter-bodied expression of this trilogy. Delicate florals explode into red raspberry, wild strawberry, garigue, and classic rock minerality that dance on the palate. $58.
Very light, with high percentage of Grenache. 93 points.
2020 NORTHERN BLEND
95% Estate Syrah, 5% Estate Viognier
Viognier lifts the florals but an unmistakable Rocks funk remains. Deep and dark expressions of ground coffee, pipe tobacco, and rich cocoa. The focused palate hits with umami and cured meats, combined with graceful notes of lychee and asian plum, then gets lifted by a fresh acidity following the silky-smooth velvet tannins that only the Rocks can give. $58.
Rocks funk. 95 points
2020 DRE
100% Mourvedre
Classic Mourvedre - dark fruits blast into an inky, meaty, earth-driven monster. Killer acid that lasts forever with a powerful cacao and salinic finish. Big, Dark and Sexy. $65.
Nice acid, salinity, well integrated tannins. 93 points
2020 LOVE ROCKS - Tablas
100% Estate Syrah - Rocks District
Deep crimson color and exotic aromas of dark fruits with scents of black roses, sweet tobacco, sweet pea flowers, olive tapenade and wild violets. On the palate the flavors are velvety smooth with layers of black and blue fruits infused with licorice root, dark cocoa, Earl Grey and stony, silty minerality. $65.
Loved the notes of tea. 95 points
I was also given a sample of the 2020 Proper Syrah, a sister label of Rotie, which had some excellent balance of fruit and savory, peppery notes. It was absolutely excellent, 96 points.
