The 2011 Syrah Wild Alfalfa is a beautifully pure, balanced and elegant Syrah that delivers notions of raspberry, flowers, hints of pepper and bacon to go with a medium-bodied, silky and finesse driven palate that doesn’t lack for richness or length. Aged in a scant 33% new French oak and showing the best of the vintage, it’s a beautiful wine that will shine over the coming 5-6 years. Drink now-2019. Tel. (509) 526-7896; www.isenhowercellars.com

The 2007 Wild Alfalfa Syrah is also a multi-regional blend of Syrah from three superb vineyards. Purple-colored with a bouquet of smoked meat, lavender, and blueberry, on the palate it has ample spicy fruit, decent depth, and a medium-long finish. It is in need of a bit more complexity.Brett and Denise Isenhower began their Walla Walla-based winery in 1999. Their response to recessionary times has been to cut production and move primarily to direct sales. As a result, they have established a tasting room in Woodinville (where the customers are located).Tel. (509) 526-7896; www.isenhowercellars.com

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