Chateau Ste. Michelle Syrah (75cl, 13.5%)

A Columbia Valley Syrah from Washington State's founding winery, Chateau Ste. Michelle, which traces its origins to 1934. Fruit is sourced from Cold Creek Vineyard and sites in the Horse Heaven Hills and Wahluke Slope. All Washington vines are planted on their own rootstocks because phylloxera has never established itself in the state's sandy soils. The wine is vinified in a fruit-forward style with measured oak contact. Aroma: bright red and black fruit leads, with ripe blackberry and plum, followed by fresh mint, star anise and a subtle herbal note, with coffee and leather emerging as the wine opens. The palate is juicy with dark plum and blackberry jam, then cranberry acidity and mesquite-like smoky depth, with tannic structure framing currant and bittersweet chocolate. The finish is medium to long, with lingering vanilla, smoked meat and mint-edged spice.