The 2005 Syrah Red Willow Vineyard (100%) offers an inviting bouquet of game, smoked meat, pepper, and blueberry. Smooth-textured, spicy, and layered, it is a tasty, pleasure-bent offering that will provide enjoyment for another 6-8 years. Columbia Winery was an important player in Washington's early history but seems to have fallen on hard times recently to the point where they have surrendered their exclusivity on Red Willow Vineyard fruit.www.columbiawinery.com

The Red Willow/David Lake style remains distinctly tight, firm and herbal. The softly herbal grace of the wine is quite pleasing if you let it be what it is, and the flavors spread out gently through the moderately long, finely detailed finish.——P.G.(3/1/2008)—— 88

Red Willow was one of the first vineyards in the Northwest to grow Syrah. Subsequently, other parts of Washington have proven quite adept with the grape, but Red Willow retains its own unique personality. Reticent, textured, lightly herbal and hinting at smoke and tobacco, it’s a wine that will develop gently over time and surprise with its depth and wealth of flavors. Cellar Candidate (8-10 years)——P.G.(9/1/2004)—— 88

Despite being a bit closed aromatically, a thick, velvety mouthfeel and dense blackberry and vanilla flavors confirm this wine's quality. With airing, burnt caramel and fleshy berry scents emerge. The finish brings a hint of pepper and some drying tannins--enough to suggest cellaring two or three years.——W.E.(1/1/2004)—— 90