2014 Gordon Estate Syrah Columbia Valley 750 ml

When we asked him the price, our host, Jeff Gordon, just smiled. “That’s no fun,” he said. “How about you tell me what the price should be?” 

We turned our attention back to the 2014 Gordon Estate Syrah, the scents of ripe blackberry and smoked meat, the super-juicy core, and the savory elements of herbs, black pepper, and tapenade. As the long finish faded, we told him our guess: Twenty-five, maybe thirty bucks a bottle.

He thought for a second and nodded. “Not bad,” he said. “Winery price is $21.” 

$21? At that price, we absolutely loved the wine, and knew Wine Access members would too. But when we found out that one of Gordon Estate’s distributors had dropped the ball and left them with a pallet of ‘14 Syrah taking up much-needed cellar space, we saw our move.

We imagined how our members would flip for this wine if we could deliver it for $15, and figured if we could help Jeff free up some space at the winery, then everyone would be thrilled. So we threw out our quote, and waited for Jeff’s reaction. 

We looked on as his wheels turned. Then stood up abruptly—and stuck his hand out. We shook vigorously on the deal, then finished our glass of the Estate Syrah, looking out at the estate’s breathtaking view of the Snake River. We walked away with a massive score for Wine Access members: the ripe, juicy, and perfectly aged 2014 Gordon Estate Syrah.

That price makes it our best value red wine of the entire year, bar none, so plan ahead: Think past the burgers and ribs at your late summer BBQs. Think ahead to football season, to fall, to Thanksgiving, and think about how much of this rich, savory red you’ll need. Because it’s just hitting its stride now, and will beg you to open a bottle, or multiple bottles, every single day. And don’t count on the price to slow you down. 

Gordon Estate has as firm a footing in Washington as any other: Founded in 1980, back when there were only 19 wineries in the state (now there are over 900), Jeff, along with his wife and brother, planted white wine grapes on a sagebrush-strewn slope overlooking the Snake River. In 1985, they released their first commercial vintage, and around the same time, decided to plant red varieties—much against the advice of just about everyone they knew.

But the Gordons saw huge red wine potential in the site, which enjoys hot days, a 40-degree temperature variation at night, and the moderating influence of the nearby river. And time has shown that the Gordons were spot-on in their assessment. The 2014 Estate Syrah, grown in Washington’s 94-point vintage, is a shining example. Displaying a purple hue, tons of blackberry and bacon on the nose, and savory cured meats and pepper, this Washington tribute to the Rhône, had us captivated—even before we knew it was our top red value of the year.