The 2008 Ethos Syrah spent 20 months in 63% new French and American oak. Dense purple-colored, it delivers inviting aromas of smoked meat, hung game, pepper, tapenade, blueberry, and blackberry. Plush on the palate with a velvety texture, it is long on rich flavor but short on complexity. It has the stuffing to evolve for a few years so perhaps that will emerge with additional bottle age.Chateau Ste. Michelle's portfolio remains strong.www.ste-michelle.com

The 2007 Ethos Syrah (100%) is a multi-regional blend aged for 20 months in 72% new, mostly French oak. A glass-staining opaque purple, it gives up aromas of smoke, grilled meat, bacon, incense, and lavender. Dense, ripe, and succulent, it has enough structure to evolve for several years and will offer pleasure through 2022. Chateau Ste. Michelle continues to produce large quantities of quality wine at exceptionally fair prices.www.ste-michelle.com

The purple-colored 2006 Ethos Syrah offers up a complex perfume of pepper, bacon, smoked meat, blueberry, and blackberry jam. Full-bodied and smooth-textured on the palate, it has layers of savory blue and black fruit, plenty of spice, and excellent depth and concentration. This flavorful, lengthy effort will evolve for 1-2 and drink well through 2018. Chateau Ste. Michelle continues to demonstrate that a winery can be large and quality-oriented at the same time. Their current collection is as good as or better than anything it has done in the past.Tel. (425) 415-3300; www.ste-michelle.com