We just got back from Salty’s Seafood on Alki, where we joined in the ten-year anniversary celebrations for Sexy Syrah – an April event that sells out quickly each year. We’ve been to about half of them, and this year was the best ever.
Forty Washington state boutique wineries poured their sexy, silky and spicy Syrahs, which were paired with some delicious bites from Salty’s. So we paired the rich 2Spires blend from William Church Winery with spicy prawn mini-tacos. And the big, bold Block #3 Syrah from Smasne Cellars went very well with roast beef sliders. Then there was the heavenly salmon that was perfect with the smoky Horse Heaven Hills Syrah from The Bunnel Family Cellar.
Our favorite wines that we’d never tasted before came from recommendations from Sean at Washington Wine Report:
- Amavi Cellars 2008 Estate Syrah
- Kerloo Cellars 2008 Walla Walla Syrah and 2008 Les Collines Walla Walla Syrah
- McCrea Cellars – which brought ten years of Syrah to celebrate ten years of Sexy Syrah at Alki! The 1997 was beyond amazing, and the 2002 and 2007 were celebratory too.
Other new Syrahs that we tried tonight included an award-winning 2008 Syrah from Gard Vintners, a fruit-forward 2007 Miscolato Syrah blend from Michael Florentino Cellars, and an elegant 2006 Syrah from Skylite Cellars.
Congratulations to Sommelier David LeClaire of Seattle Uncorked and Salty’s Sommelier Tim O’Brien, who produced the event. A portion of the $45 ticket will benefit FareStart, a culinary job training and placement program for homeless and disadvantaged people.
We look forward to another 10 years of Sexy Syrah at Salty’s!
Cheers!