($55; 15.5% alcohol) Good full medium ruby. Knockout nose offers minerals, brown spices, flowers, bacon fat and woodsmoke. Tightly wound initially, conveying an impression of superb intensity and energy. This, too, is simply finer-grained than most red wines of any stripe from Washington. A juicy, complex wine that finishes with terrific length and aromatic lift. With extended aeration, this showed a powerful aroma of olive tapenade.

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Syrah is the principal raison d'etre at Cayuse Vineyards. In a typical vintage five are produced beginning with the 2004 Syrah "Cailloux Vineyard," a cuvee co-fermented with 4% Viognier. It delivers a splendid nose of lavender, leather, meat, and blueberry jam. This is followed by a wine with great flavor already exhibiting complexity. It could use a bit more depth but that is a minor matter. This beauty can be enjoyed through 2025. If that is not enough, I tasted a barrel sample of a 2005 Grenache which rivals the best grown in the USA. Could it be that before long Manfred Krankl of SQN will be known as the Christophe Baron of the Central Coast?

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Supple, open-textured and immensely appealing for the balance of distinctly mineral-accented plum and cherry flavors against subtle touches of coffee, wet earth and oak. 536 cases made.

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Quite eccentric, a great mix of both new and old world. Color: Dark red with maroon edges Nose: Dark chocolate, olive, pepper, meaty stew, cookie dough (yes), and pepper aromas meld with fruits like cassis and blackberry Palate: Brisk minerality comes through the sappy and ripe dark red fruits like raspberry and blackberry, savory olive and meaty flavors accent the fruit, and a little spice tops it all of. Solid with rack of lamb!