A lot of Washington wineries are making this as a stand-alone wine, not just for blending with its more popular cousin cabernet sauvignon. It is a fruity, berrylike wine with a smooth slightly, nutty finish. Milestone merlot - A touch of smoke, vanilla and blackberries make this a big merlot that's a perfect match for steaks. 1995 syrah - Lake has been making syrahs for nine years. This vintage offers an array of complex flavors and aromas including mushrooms, bacon and berries.
Lake likens a syrah to a pinot noir with guts and color.
It's a great match with marinated pork. Cellarmaster late harvest riesling - A sweet wine with pineapple and tropical fruit aromas and flavors, plus 6 percent residual sugar. It has a crisp, orange feel on the palate. Bob Woehler has been writing about grapes and wines of the Pacific Northwest since 1978.