Review: Badger Mountain Syrah

Wine: Badger Mountain Syrah
Vintage: 2006
Organic, no Sulfites
Purchased: Whole Foods, $8.99
Grown: Washington State


I have to admit, like any good Seattle girl, I like my local foods. I try and go to the local farmers market on Thursday and I am more likely to pay a bit more for something made by a local artisan.

Badger Mountain Syrah was a wine that I was drawn to for two reasons. One, it was local- said "Washington State" right there on the label. Secondly, it said, also on the label, "No Sulfites Added". After reading the Alice Feiring book, I was in the mood to try wines that were a little more "authentic" and natural.

Well, I could have skipped this wine. The thing was, I wanted wine, not a margarita. The first couple of sips and smells, I couldn't put my finger on the familiar smell. I kept at it, and in a minute or two I had it. I ran into the kitchen...

"Smell this!"
(The Husband) "Why?"
"Smell it!" I shoved it under his nose.
"Grapes, I smell grapes...jam...and grapes."
"Tequila!"
"What?"
"It smells like tequila! Like a strawberry margarita!" I laughed "I feel like we should have some nachos!"
"Yeah, I smell it now! You're right."


My Notes:
Very fruit forward, a little harsh but with a tequila aftertaste and after a few drinks smells (and tastes) like a strawberry margarita. Might go well with nachos.


It's cheap and local. I guess it isn't that bad since it is also organic and uses no added sulfites. The website does allude to modern methods ("At Badger Mountain we balance tradition and technology to produce a wide array of classic varietal wines...") of making wine so I do wonder about what they do add to the wine. Buy a bottle to go with your next fiesta.