Dubbed Amerique because of the use of American oak barrels, this broad, relatively fruity, accessible Syrah splays out across the core palate with a panoply of blueberries, boysenberries, cooked cherries and cassis. That lush fruit plays out against firm tannins, a fine balancing act.——P.G.(7/1/2011)—— 92

Lots of wood on the nose, and some scents of pickle that reflect the American oak barrels. The flavors follow along, spicy cranberry and raspberry fruit, with streaks of pickle and wood and a burst of alcoholic heat in the finish. The blend includes 17% Mourvedre.——P.G.(2/1/2011)—— 88

McCrea’s Amerique bottling uses one and two-year-old American oak and tries for an Australian Shiraz flavor. I’m not sure it wouldn’t be better just being what it is— a crisp, oaky, cool climate Syrah from Washington state, which in this vintage is almost one quarter Mourvedre. The plummy fruit carries a lot of toasty, nutty cracker flavors from the barrel aging, overlaid with zesty citrus, one of the hallmarks of Washington Syrah. ——P.G.(12/31/2006)—— 89

The Amerique bottling of McCrea Syrah uses American, rather than French, oak, much of it neutral. Flavors are ripe and forward, with the fruit tasting of strawberries and other red fruits.——P.G.(12/31/2003)—— 87