Time & Direction ‘Old School’ Syrah
WHY WE LOVE IT
- The ‘Old School’ wine label is Steve Wells’ version of an Old World wine label. As a sommelier in New York prior to moving to Walla Walla, he fell in love with French wines. The lion images are from his family crest and of course the Time & Direction logo can also be found on every label created.
- The Syrah and Viognier are co-fermented.
- The vineyard soils are fine sandy loam and silt.
Varietal Composition: 95% Syrah, 5% Viognier
Elaboration: Aged in neutral oak puncheons, 5% stems included during fermentation.
Tasting Notes: Gorgeous in the glass, the Syrah Old School starts with a petrichor note and offers aromas of hot river rocks with a classic core of dark-red berries and nuances of black spice, hung meat, black peppercorns and dusty lavender. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is focused, precise and juicy, with a fantastic balance of succulent acidity and fine-grained tannins. The Syrah concludes with a long, spicy and food-friendly finish that has me daydreaming of smoked meats.
PRESS
2019 – 92 Wine Advocate | 90 Wine Enthusiast
PRODUCER BACKGROUND
Two essential components to any journey in life… Time & Direction. That’s the philosophy behind Time & Direction Wines in Walla Walla, Washington. The winery was founded in 2016 by Steve Wells who titled himself Director of Awesome. Steve’s story may not be typical of other winery owners but the path still leads to exceptional wine. Steve started in the restaurant business in New York City where he developed his appreciation for the complexities of fine wine.
He joined the Court of Master Sommeliers and studied until he felt ready to take the Introductory and Certified-level exams. Upon certification, he became a sommelier and beverage director for a large restaurant group. On a winetasting tour of Washington, he realized that this was where his future was. He convinced his wife to move across the country with their three small children and started working and learning at wineries while enrolling in the respected Center for Enology and Viticulture at Walla Walla Community College.
Time & Direction became reality when Steve’s employer started allowing employees to create their own wine at the facility. Steve purchased some barrels, selected fruit from quality growers, and put his winemaking talent to work.