Our 100% Syrah opens with savory notes of sage, herbs, and rosemary mingling amongst a backdrop of inky blue and black fruits. Additional time in the glass reveals cedar, smoked meats, fig, graphite, and dried cranberry. All of these beautiful, complex notes are found on the palate with lifted acidity and balanced tannins providing the structure to age gracefully.
Specs
Varietal: 100% Syrah
Vineyards: Lewis Estate, Kenny Hill Estate
Appellation: Columbia Valley
Aging: 34% new French oak, 6% new American oak, 60% neutral
Bottled: June 2023
pH: 3.76
T.A.: 6.1 g/L
Alcohol: 14.0%
2022 Dunham Cellars Syrah, Columbia Valley
93 Points, Owen Bargreen
92 Points, Decanter
92 Points, James Suckling
91 Points, Wine Enthusiast
Tasting Notes
Opens with vibrant red fruit aromas of cherry and red currant. Floral and herbal nuances are seamlessly woven throughout, revealing delicate notes of dried roses, mulberries, sage, and thyme. Medium- to full-bodied and bright on the palate, it offers a soft, approachable texture and a graceful, balanced expression of the varietal.
Specs
Varietal: 100% Syrah
Appellation: Columbia Valley
Vineyards: Lewis Estate, Kenny Hill Estate, Phinny
Aging: Aged 19 months in 20% new French oak, 80% neutral oak
The winery makes its home in a rustic, remodeled World War II era airplane hangar in Walla Walla, Washington, and celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2020. The family-owned winery strives for excellence from vineyard to bottle, and sources fruit from several renowned estate vineyards in prime locations around the Walla Walla and Columbia Valley appellations. Dunham wines include Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, Trutina (Bordeaux-style blend), Three Legged Red (red table wine), Rosé, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling and Chardonnay.
With a strong heritage and a brand well-known throughout the Pacific Northwest and beyond, we are committed to producing premium wines through gentle treatment in all phases of the winemaking process. Our goal is to bring something to the bottle that we enjoy and are proud to label with the name Dunham.
Available States
AL, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
We were excited to open the latest package from Terry and the Casemates team and find a 2021 Dunham Cellars Syrah inside!
Forced with a difficult decision of which of our dinner options we were going to pair this with, we turned to a rather unconventional sommelier/assistant: AI.
We had two dinner options already on the menu, a creamy lemon chicken and mushroom dish or a tomato-based chicken entrée. We asked it which would pair better with a Washington Syrah, and it suggested the creamy lemon chicken and mushrooms.
Why you might ask - It said that the Syrah’s peppery notes, dark fruit, and acidity should complement the creamy sauce and earthy mushrooms.
Challenge accepted.
Before we started cooking, we pulled the cork and let the bottle breathe while dinner came together.
Once dinner was served and the 2021 Dunham Cellars Syrah poured, we were greeted with a beautiful deep purple color in the glass. On the nose, we picked up dark fruits, especially blackberries.
Our first sip brought notes of pepper and herbs, giving the wine a nice savory character without being overpowering.
The pairing ended up being better than we expected. The Syrah helped cut through the bright acidity of the lemon while complementing the earthy mushrooms. It was one of those pairings where the wine and food made each other better.
Of course, one taste is never enough.
About an hour after dinner, we poured another glass to see how the wine had evolved. It had definitely opened up. The pepper and herbs were still there, but we also started getting warmer spices along with notes of fig and tart cranberries and cherries. It was fun to see how much the profile changed with a little extra time in the bottle.
So… did our AI sommelier earn its keep?
We’ll give it this one.
Overall, we really enjoyed this Syrah. While it paired wonderfully with our chicken dinner, I can’t help but think it would absolutely shine alongside barbecue. I’d love to try it again with smoked ribs, pulled pork, or another slightly sweet, smoky dish to see how those spice and fruit notes play together.
We corked what was left of the bottle and plan to revisit it on day two. We’re looking forward to seeing what else it has to offer.
Thanks again to Terry and the Casemates team for letting us Lab Rat another bottle. We’d love to hear what tasting notes everyone else picked up!
@njaehner Nice write up! Interesting AI selection choice…I would have been worried about overwhelming the lemon chicken and gone with the tomato based option. Shows what I know.
@hscottk@njaehner Shows you know more than AI…ha! AI came up for me several times preferring tomato base. AI is kind of like a lawyer, you can get any answer or opinion you want if you choose your question carefully
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations).
Dunham Cellars Syrah - $45 = 17.64%
2021:
WE…90 points. Fans of balance and restrained alcohol, seek shelter in this wine. Its aromas of blackcurrants and coffee are joined by an interesting note similar to roasted heirloom carrots and thyme. On the smooth-textured palate, an unsweetened dark chocolate flavors melds with blueberries and cinnamon and clove spices. — Michael Alberty 9/1/24
Wine Review Online…93 points. Intensely savory and rich with dark fruit at the same time, Dunham’s 2021 Syrah could last for a few years in a cellar, but it is hard to resist right now. Think wild raspberries, ripe purple plum, wild sage and herbs in a delectably tongue-coating way. (Miranda Franco) 8/24
Owen Bargreen…94 points. The outstanding 2021 Dunham Cellars ‘Columbia Valley’ Syrah was sourced from the Lewis and Kenny Hill Vineyards. Stored in mostly neutral oak barrels, this delivers mocha, tar and dried herbal tones on the nose alongside iodine tones. The palate is soft and refined with a gorgeous texture. Black florals mingle well with loganberry preserves, asphalt and suggestions of garrigue on the palate. A beautiful wine made from this great vintage, enjoy now and over the next eight plus years to come. Drink 2024 -2032 4/24
Suckling…92 points. Dark chocolate and black cherries dominate the flavors of this full-bodied, concentrated and moderately tannic wine. Its good fruit purity and a polished feel make you stop and pay attention. Drink now or hold. 2/24
Spectator…90 points. Sleek and refined, offering focused accents of raspberry, smoked pepper and garrigue that finish with fine-grained tannins. Drink now through 2031. 1,186 cases made. Tim Fish 11/24
Dunnuck…93 points. The 2021 Syrah is deep purple-hued, with remarkable purity in its red and blue fruits as well as classy notes of chalky minerality, spring flowers, and cracked peppercorns. It’s medium-bodied, has a fresh, focused mouthfeel, ultra-fine tannins, and a great finish. It shines for its focused, pure, elegant style and will drink nicely for a decade. Drink 2024 - 2034 JD 7/24
The 2022:
Owen Bargreen…93 points. A really good bargain in Washington wine, the outstanding 2022 Dunham Cellars ‘Columbia Valley’ Syrah hails from the Lewis and Kenny Hill Vineyards. Stored in mostly neutral oak, this offers garrigue and violets on the nose alongside dark cherry and black raspberry tones. The palate is plush and rich with a smooth mouthfeel and great smoky accents. Drink 2025 - 2037 6/25
Suckling…92 points. This fragrant red has aromas of dried roses, mulberries, cherries, sage and thyme. It’s medium- to full-bodied and bright, with sleek tannins. I like the herbal nuances. Drink now or hold. 3/25
WE…91 points. I almost don’t believe the 14% ABV listed on the label. This lighter-bodied Syrah floats like a butterfly and sings like Jay-Z, seemingly closer to 13.3%. Its graceful and nimble mouthfeel is complemented by aromas and flavors of dark raspberries, Rainier cherries, sage and espresso beans coated with bittersweet dark chocolate. Expect boisterous acidity and plush tannins. Michael Alberty 12/25
Dunnuck dot com…90 points. Sleek, sublime, savory character and texture mark the 2022 Syrah, a medium-bodied varietal wine that is grippy and high-toned, with the length to age another 8-10 years. Drink 2025 - 2035. Virginie Boone. 7/25
Snapshot of the 92 point Decanter note…A savoury Syrah, with complex, layered aromatics. Gamey, and with a feral character, dried violets and singed earth.
I would buy a case, but the option for Summer Hold is sold out. I don’t understand this system of having separate links and limiting the number of buyers who can select summer hold.
Dunham Cellars Syrah
2021 Dunham Cellars Syrah, Columbia Valley
94 Points, Owen Bargreen
93 Points James Suckling
93 Points, Jeb Dunnuck
90 Points, Wine Enthusiast
Tasting Notes
Specs
2022 Dunham Cellars Syrah, Columbia Valley
93 Points, Owen Bargreen
92 Points, Decanter
92 Points, James Suckling
91 Points, Wine Enthusiast
Tasting Notes
Specs
What’s Included
4-bottles:
Case:
Price Comparison
not for sale on winery website, $480/case MSRP
About The Winery
Available States
AL, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Estimated Delivery
Monday, Aug 24 - Tuesday, Aug 25
Dunham Cellars Syrah
4 bottles for $84.99 $21.25/bottle + $2/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $209.99 $17.50/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
2021 Dunham Cellars Syrah
2022 Dunham Cellars Syrah
Great wines - purchase w confidence!!!
We were excited to open the latest package from Terry and the Casemates team and find a 2021 Dunham Cellars Syrah inside!
Forced with a difficult decision of which of our dinner options we were going to pair this with, we turned to a rather unconventional sommelier/assistant: AI.
We had two dinner options already on the menu, a creamy lemon chicken and mushroom dish or a tomato-based chicken entrée. We asked it which would pair better with a Washington Syrah, and it suggested the creamy lemon chicken and mushrooms.
Why you might ask - It said that the Syrah’s peppery notes, dark fruit, and acidity should complement the creamy sauce and earthy mushrooms.
Challenge accepted.
Before we started cooking, we pulled the cork and let the bottle breathe while dinner came together.
Once dinner was served and the 2021 Dunham Cellars Syrah poured, we were greeted with a beautiful deep purple color in the glass. On the nose, we picked up dark fruits, especially blackberries.
Our first sip brought notes of pepper and herbs, giving the wine a nice savory character without being overpowering.
The pairing ended up being better than we expected. The Syrah helped cut through the bright acidity of the lemon while complementing the earthy mushrooms. It was one of those pairings where the wine and food made each other better.
Of course, one taste is never enough.
About an hour after dinner, we poured another glass to see how the wine had evolved. It had definitely opened up. The pepper and herbs were still there, but we also started getting warmer spices along with notes of fig and tart cranberries and cherries. It was fun to see how much the profile changed with a little extra time in the bottle.
So… did our AI sommelier earn its keep?
We’ll give it this one.
Overall, we really enjoyed this Syrah. While it paired wonderfully with our chicken dinner, I can’t help but think it would absolutely shine alongside barbecue. I’d love to try it again with smoked ribs, pulled pork, or another slightly sweet, smoky dish to see how those spice and fruit notes play together.
We corked what was left of the bottle and plan to revisit it on day two. We’re looking forward to seeing what else it has to offer.
Thanks again to Terry and the Casemates team for letting us Lab Rat another bottle. We’d love to hear what tasting notes everyone else picked up!
@njaehner Nice write up! Interesting AI selection choice…I would have been worried about overwhelming the lemon chicken and gone with the tomato based option. Shows what I know.
@hscottk @njaehner Shows you know more than AI…ha! AI came up for me several times preferring tomato base. AI is kind of like a lawyer, you can get any answer or opinion you want if you choose your question carefully
@njaehner Ia Al your uncle?
@hscottk @kaolis @njaehner the other problem with AI is that you aren’t guaranteed the same answer twice!
I find tomato sauces are hard to pair.
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations).
Dunham Cellars Syrah - $45 = 17.64%
Nice one WineDavid! Good juice!
2021:
WE…90 points. Fans of balance and restrained alcohol, seek shelter in this wine. Its aromas of blackcurrants and coffee are joined by an interesting note similar to roasted heirloom carrots and thyme. On the smooth-textured palate, an unsweetened dark chocolate flavors melds with blueberries and cinnamon and clove spices. — Michael Alberty 9/1/24
Wine Review Online…93 points. Intensely savory and rich with dark fruit at the same time, Dunham’s 2021 Syrah could last for a few years in a cellar, but it is hard to resist right now. Think wild raspberries, ripe purple plum, wild sage and herbs in a delectably tongue-coating way. (Miranda Franco) 8/24
Owen Bargreen…94 points. The outstanding 2021 Dunham Cellars ‘Columbia Valley’ Syrah was sourced from the Lewis and Kenny Hill Vineyards. Stored in mostly neutral oak barrels, this delivers mocha, tar and dried herbal tones on the nose alongside iodine tones. The palate is soft and refined with a gorgeous texture. Black florals mingle well with loganberry preserves, asphalt and suggestions of garrigue on the palate. A beautiful wine made from this great vintage, enjoy now and over the next eight plus years to come. Drink 2024 -2032 4/24
Suckling…92 points. Dark chocolate and black cherries dominate the flavors of this full-bodied, concentrated and moderately tannic wine. Its good fruit purity and a polished feel make you stop and pay attention. Drink now or hold. 2/24
Spectator…90 points. Sleek and refined, offering focused accents of raspberry, smoked pepper and garrigue that finish with fine-grained tannins. Drink now through 2031. 1,186 cases made. Tim Fish 11/24
Dunnuck…93 points. The 2021 Syrah is deep purple-hued, with remarkable purity in its red and blue fruits as well as classy notes of chalky minerality, spring flowers, and cracked peppercorns. It’s medium-bodied, has a fresh, focused mouthfeel, ultra-fine tannins, and a great finish. It shines for its focused, pure, elegant style and will drink nicely for a decade. Drink 2024 - 2034 JD 7/24
The 2022:
Owen Bargreen…93 points. A really good bargain in Washington wine, the outstanding 2022 Dunham Cellars ‘Columbia Valley’ Syrah hails from the Lewis and Kenny Hill Vineyards. Stored in mostly neutral oak, this offers garrigue and violets on the nose alongside dark cherry and black raspberry tones. The palate is plush and rich with a smooth mouthfeel and great smoky accents. Drink 2025 - 2037 6/25
Suckling…92 points. This fragrant red has aromas of dried roses, mulberries, cherries, sage and thyme. It’s medium- to full-bodied and bright, with sleek tannins. I like the herbal nuances. Drink now or hold. 3/25
WE…91 points. I almost don’t believe the 14% ABV listed on the label. This lighter-bodied Syrah floats like a butterfly and sings like Jay-Z, seemingly closer to 13.3%. Its graceful and nimble mouthfeel is complemented by aromas and flavors of dark raspberries, Rainier cherries, sage and espresso beans coated with bittersweet dark chocolate. Expect boisterous acidity and plush tannins. Michael Alberty 12/25
Dunnuck dot com…90 points. Sleek, sublime, savory character and texture mark the 2022 Syrah, a medium-bodied varietal wine that is grippy and high-toned, with the length to age another 8-10 years. Drink 2025 - 2035. Virginie Boone. 7/25
Snapshot of the 92 point Decanter note…A savoury Syrah, with complex, layered aromatics. Gamey, and with a feral character, dried violets and singed earth.
fwiw
Went to order a case for the summer hold and they’re gone, yet available for regular shipping. Any chance some cases can be moved to summer hold?
@suzanne17 Try again. The Summer Hold case was sold out when I first tried, but I tried again and was able to order.
I would buy a case, but the option for Summer Hold is sold out. I don’t understand this system of having separate links and limiting the number of buyers who can select summer hold.
@MIwolverine Thank you for adding more. I was able to order.
@MIwolverine Thanks! Got a case
@MIwolverine @suzanne17
With 4+ hours to go, both are still available to hold
@MIwolverine yer welcome!
@MIwolverine @Winedavid59 @rjquillin Is it really that hard to combine the buckets? Seems kind of …dumb
@kaolis @MIwolverine @Winedavid59
Seems rather like all those “sharing tools” that never materialized, due to “platform constraints” iirc.
@kaolis @MIwolverine @rjquillin @Winedavid59 I was guessing that the “Two Bin” sales system must have been designed by Artificial Intelligence.
If anybody in Chicago has a few extra bottles they want to share, LMK.