Tamarack Cellars was founded in 1998 by Ron and Jamie Coleman. This family run winery is dedicated to the production of small lot, hand-crafted wines from select vineyards in the Walla Walla Valley, Rattle Snake Hills, Horse Heaven Hills,
Wahluke Slope, Yakima Valley, Red Mountain and Columbia Valley appellations. The winery is located in a restored WW II fire station and barracks at the Walla Walla Airport Complex. Production began in 1998 and is currently up to 12,000 cases for the 2008 vintage. Wines include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, DuBrul Vineyard Reserve, Syrah, Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, Sangiovese, and Firehouse Red.Ron Coleman serves as winemaker and general manager. He comes to the job after a long career in the wine industry with experience in wholesale and retail sales, as a sommelier, and through cellar work for Waterbrook and Canoe Ridge wineries.
Tonight we pulled this bottle of Syrah from our wine cellar to bring to a dinner party with our good neighbors. Back in 2004, there was an extreme freeze in the Walla Walla Valley and Tamarack Cellars had to turn all their attention to making wines from grapes throughout the Columbia Valley. This Syrah has a dark ruby color and is nearly opaque. The nose is cooked black cherries and berries. On the palate there is ripe black fruit, espresso, and licorice that commingle with espresso and mocha to create a luscious and balanced wine. There is impressive concentration with smooth tannins and some pepper and mineral notes on the long finish. We enjoyed this lovely Syrah with some African Chicken/Peanut Soup and a Vegetable Cous Cous Salad. You can count on Tamarack Cellars to deliver the goods!
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