Syrah 2019 (Burrowing Owl)

Cellar for up to 10 years. Decant for an hour before serving. This Rhône-inspired red blend from Burrowing Owl is bursting with ripe aromas of blackberry, bilberry, plum and liquorice, with animalistic background notes of smoked meat. As it opens up, you can also detect some hints of vanilla and black pepper, rounding out the bouquet. While Syrah is the dominant grape here, making up 97% of the blend, the producers have also added a small splash of Viognier. Burrowing Owl Estate Winery lies just inside the Canadian border, where the dry steppe terroir that covers most of Washington state’s prime vineyard locations begins to peter out. It was founded in 1997 by Jim Wyse and has become one of Canada’s highest-renowned wineries, picking up gold medals at Mundus Vini Spring Tastings and the WineAlign National Wine Awards of Canada. This beautiful red is a perfect starting point for those looking to explore the underrated world of Canadian wine. It is full-bodied and velvety in the mouth, with a firm tannic structure and refreshing acidity. Jammy notes of black and blue hedgerow fruits appear on the palate, mingling with sage, thyme, spice, and subtle hints of coconut. A bundle of dried herbs lingers on the palate during the long finish. Consider pairing this red with a tender piece of herby lamb, a hearty mushroom burger, or grilled eggplant.