Walter Dacon Wines was one of the wineries that stood out at last weekend’s Taste of Washington. Located in Shelton on the Olympic penninsula, the winery focuses predominantly on Rhône-style wines. Lloyd Anderson, owner and winemaker for Walter Dacon, produced his first vintage in 2003. Previously he had worked with Doug McCrea at McCrea Cellars, and these wineries bear some stylistic similarities.

Anderson makes four syrah – “C’est Syrah Belle” (co-fermented with viognier, aged in French oak), “C’est Syrah Beau” (aged in American oak), “C’est Syrah Magnifique” (barrel select), and “Appanage” (100% Boushey Vineyard, barrel select). Notes on the 2006 vintage of these wines are below. The winery also makes a port-style wine, a Sangiovese, a Viognier and a Roussanne. For the 2007 vintage releases, Tempranillo will be introduced. The winery produces approximately 1,000 cases per year and is named after Lloyd’s grandfather.

Wines:
Score

 Name

 Notes

 $

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 Walter Dacon C’est Syrah Belle Columbia Valley 2006

 Chock full of floral, game, white pepper, and spice aromas. A big attack then drops back a bit and hangs. 94% Syrah co-fermented with 6% Viognier. 45% Ranch at the End of the Road (Red Mountain); 23% Destiny Ridge (HHH); 22% Boushey (Yakima Valley); 10% Elephant Mountain (Rattlesnake Hills) vineyards. French oak. 14.6% alcohol. 450 cases produced.

 $30

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 Walter Dacon C’est Syrah Beaux Columbia Valley 2006

 A fragrant, intense nose where the influence of the American oak is apparent. Cedar, clove, vanilla, and strong anise aromas predominate. Evenly balanced with a fair amount of oak on the taste. 100% Syrah. 60% Destiny Ridge, 17% Ranch at the End of the Road; 13% Elephant Mountain; and 10% Boushey vineyards. American oak.14.8% alcohol. 300 cases produced.

 $38

**

 Walter Dacon C’est Syrah Magnifique 2006

 An engaging nose with light smoke, white pepper, floral, and meat aromas. Perfectly balanced. An elegant wine with an extended finish. One of the top wines of the event. 32% Boushey, 32% Elephant Mountain, 28% Ranch at the End of the Road, and 8% Destiny Ridge vineyards. 14.8% alcohol. 294 cases produced.

 $42

**

 Walter Dacon Appanage Boushey Vineyard 2006

 A stupendous wine marked by meat, earth, and floral aromas. Big and beautifully polished with an extremely long finish. 100% Syrah. 14.9% alcohol. 100 cases produced.

$50