Luke, Wahluke Slope (Columbia Valley, Washington) Syrah 2018

 Taking its name from the Wahluke Slope AVA, Luke offers a range of red wines that deliver excellent quality for the price.  There is no better example than this Syrah which is deeply colored and richly flavored.  I like the way it brings together ripe plum and dried herbs with just a hint of bacon in both aromas and flavors.  On the palate it is big and round, but has enough tannin and blackberry fruit to give it some complexity.  The ripeness is kept in check right through the long, slightly tannic finish.  It was aged in a combination of French and American Oak.  1,116 cases produced.