2008 Syrah Ex Umbris

'Ex Umbris' is Latin for 'out of the shadows'. Originally made as a one-off due to a wildfire that resulted in tremendously smoky grapes, this wine has become a NW signature Syrah. The current vintage is a blend of fruit from Mike Sauer's Red Willow Vineyard, Art DenHoed's Erickson Road Vineyard, and Bruce Morford's Slide Mountain Vineyard, each located in western Yakima Valley. The blend is balanced by fruit from the cooler, smoky Lewis Vineyard in The Dalles, and the unctuous fruitiness of Elerding Vineyard located in Alderdale, WA.

Deep plum and dark cherry perfume precedes the velvety texture with bushels of blackberry, peppercorn and black licorice playing against plush tannins.