The 2006 Syrah Wild Alfalfa has an alluring perfume of violets, pepper, meat, bacon, and blueberry. This leads to a wine with plenty of savory, sweet fruit, assertive flavors, and a medium-long finish. Drink it over the next 8 years.Isenhower Cellars- first vintage was in 1999 and current production is 4000 cases. Although located in Walla Walla, the winery sources fruit from a variety of AVAs. Two excellent quaffers are the Snapdragon and the Rose.Tel. (509) 526-7896; www.isenhowercellars.com

Spicy, citrusy, sharp and herbal, this pure Syrah shows a slightly green, tannic, peppery character. Still tasting quite young, it needs time and air to take the rough edge off the tannins. But it’s got character and depth, with an interesting toasted cracker finish.——P.G.(11/1/2008)—— 89