This bottling does what Syrah from this region often does, presenting a little auto shop aromatic up front that can be off putting to the uninitiated. My advice? Dig deeper. Take a slow inhaling draft on this wine and you’ll notice that the motor oil/exhaust subsides quickly and becomes a blackberry liqueur with a dash of smokiness. On the palate meat and pepper notes join the blackberry and finish boldly. Go for something gamey when pairing.
Lake Chelan Winery, Columbia Valley (Washington) Syrah 2019
By Rich Cook