2004 Mount Baker Vineyards Reserve Syrah Yakima Valley...

   I have to let you in on a little secret that I am front paging so that it will not be a secret anymore. Randy Finley, owner and mostly winemaker at Mount Baker Vineyards has temporarily slashed the price of his reserve syrah from twenty-four bucks to thirteen bucks and I kid you not, it is a deal that you should not pass up. This puppy is huge, and has at least five years of life left in it. Even now it is a smok'in good wine. The nose explodes with smoke and bright blueberries. There is a beef jerky aspect that is there with tiny hints of vanilla. Once this wine hits your lips, you know you are in for a treat. This baby has some backbone with excellent balance of acidity and fruit. Hints of smoke, bacon fat, cassis, blueberries and blackberries fill your senses on a large scale. This wine is P2 (Palate squared). Massive is a good word for it with some tannic grip on the sides of your mouth and an incredibly long finish. This wine is a teenager that acts like a business tycoon. I would be disappointed in anyone who likes syrah that does not take advantage of the price being offered. I am going to jump all over this one and will make sure the store has plenty in stock.   94 points