Novelty Hill 2021 Oxbow GSM

93 pts James Suckling

Enticing aromas of black cherry, plum, and dried herbs blend seamlessly with hints of lavender and white pepper. Ripe blackberry and raspberry flavors, combined with smoky oak, unfold on the palate, balanced by velvety tannins and vibrant acidity. The finish is long and harmonious, showcasing Oxbow’s complex character and refined elegance.

Oxbow is a GSM blend sourced from Novelty Hill’s Stillwater Creek estate on the Royal Slope of the Frenchman Hills and Boushey Vineyard in the Yakima Valley. Both sites are prized for Rhone varieties. Stillwater Creek’s fractured basalt rock and extreme southern exposure make it ideal for reds, especially Syrah and Grenache. Boushey Vineyard, located near Sunnyside, is a cooler site than other areas of the Columbia Valley. Acclaimed grower Dick Boushey’s Rhone grapes are sought after for their purity of fruit expression and bright, vibrant character, reflective of the growing region.

41% Grenache, 33% Syrah, 26% Mourvèdre