Dusted Valley Vintners 2013 StoneTree Vineyard Rachis Syrah, Wahluke Slope, $53

Rachis refers to the backbone of a grape cluster, and this standout winery near the Washington-Oregon stateline in the Walla Walla Valley goes old school with the winemaking process — whole-cluster fermentation, including the stems – on this six-barrel lot from Ted Wildmann’s renowned site near Mattawa. As a result, this Syrah brings dark purple fruit rather than funk in the nose of blackberry cobbler, macerated cherry and vanilla, joined by oak spice and clay notes. The pour moves from a sweet entry of blueberry pie juice into sandy tannins, dark chocolate and a finish of Red Hots candy. For a food pairing concept, these beaux-freres from Wisconsin suggested Grilled Flatbread with Mushrooms & Ricotta Cheese by Janis Frey at Savor.

Rating: Excellent

Production: 136 cases

Alcohol: 15.2%

Winery website

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