93
points
McCrea Cellars 2005 Boushey Grande Côte Vineyard Syrah (Yakima Valley)
-
$36
Always among the very best of the McCrea Syrahs, the 2005 Boushey Grande Côte brings blue fruits, composted earth, unfunky leather, cedar bark, smoked meats and more into play. It’s simply one of the most complex Syrahs made anywhere in Washington, from a grand cru site that is absolutely made for the grape. As with the 2004, the flavor notes just keep on…
— P.G.
(9/1/2009)
91
points
McCrea Cellars 2005 Sirocco Red Wine (Washington)
-
$32
The 2005 is 45% Grenache, 35% Mourvèdre, 15% Syrah and 5% Counoise. The model is Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Intense, smoky and loaded with jammy fruit, especially lots of ripe raspberry, and nicely delineated tannins, with a smack of baking chocolate in the finish. Once again, the Grenache dominates, an explosion of raspberries, plenty of buoyant acid, and a tart and…
— P.G.
(11/1/2008)
91
points
McCrea Cellars 2005 Ciel du Cheval Vineyard Syrah (Red Mountain)
-
$36
Small berries with thick skins give this wine concentration and tannin, making some extra time in bottle mandatory. It’s still tight, and the layers of graphite and earth complement without concealing the lighter floral aromas and pretty, wild berry fruit. It rolls into a complex finish with black fruits, cola, licorice and baking chocolate, all lightly applied and…
— P.G.
(9/1/2009)
91
points
McCrea Cellars 2007 Grenache (Red Mountain)
-
$30
Small amounts of Mourvèdre, Syrah, Counoise and Cinsault add complexity to this excellent Grenache, grown at the Ciel du Cheval vineyard on Red Mountain. Supple and aromatic, it expresses itself with ripe, sweet strawberry and black cherry fruit, whiffs of pepper and pencil lead, and a full-bodied midpalate that continues cleanly through a lingering finish.
— P.G.
(9/1/2009)