Spicy and bright, with an almost-too-ripe note to the fruit. Sweet ripe berries are joined by hints of sweet tomato and fecund, autumnal flavors, suggesting that this Syrah should be consumed sooner rather than later. ——P.G.(2/1/2012)—— 89

The 2008 Syrah Ex Umbris is a much more straightforward offering. Toasty oak, Asian spices, lavender, plum, and blueberry aromas lead to a pleasant, savory, relatively superficial wine in need of greater flavor interest. The stated aim of Owen Roe is ' to do cool climate viticulture in Yakima Valley'. Owen Roe's new releases are all good to excellent. There is a consistency of style within the Owen Roe portfolio. The aim is clearly to produce wines of elegance and finesse. However, to this taster it seems to be achieved at the expense of depth, concentration, and flavor interest.www.owenroe.com