With all due respect to cherubs, candy hearts and sparkling rosé, I think Valentine’s Day should be more sensual and decadent. It should be indulgent and exotic, perhaps even provocative. Which brings me to my 2015 Valentine’s Day recommendation – the appropriately named K Vintners “The Beautiful” Syrah from Walla Walla, Washington.
The wines of The Beautiful series are consistently dark, sexy and glam. If you haven’t tried one of these wines, think seduction in a glass.

The Beautiful is a field blend of 95% Syrah and 5% Viognier, so it’s only made in years when the winery can co-ferment Syrah and Viognier. The grapes are hand-picked, foot-stomped, fermented with naturally occurring yeasts and basket pressed, so there’s an unusual intimacy with the vines, grapes and must that clearly contributes to the almost primal appeal of the final product.

There’s even a twist for romantics – the winemaker, Charles Smith, named The Beautiful after his wife Ginevra. Personally, I think that took a lot of guts – fortunately for him it ended up being an elegant tribute. (Otherwise, he may have been in trouble.)

If I had to pick a single vintage, I’d go with the 2009. It coats a glass with inky hues and the nose exhibits a captivating aroma of violets, black fruits and cedar. On the palate, there is plenty of dark cherries, blackberries and figs, with underlying hints of dark chocolate, vanilla and exotic spices. There’s a long silky elegant finish that feels like crushed velvet.

The Beautiful is a seductive charmer that begs for the next sip. If it doesn’t put your Valentine in the mood, order another bottle and find a better Valentine to share it with…

Cheers!

Suggested pairings:

I Put a Spell on You – Nina Simone (1965)
Florence sur les Champs-Élysées – Miles Davis (1958)
It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World – James Brown (1966)