The 2016 Syrah The Pundit Columbia Valley (90% Syrah, 4% Grenache, 4% Mourvèdre, and 2% Viognier) is more streamlined yet has good complexity in its dark berry fruits, ground herbs, and peppery aromas and flavors. Medium-bodied, silky and elegant on the palate, with fine tannins, it offers plenty of upfront charm today but also has the balance and length to evolve nicely for 4-6 years.

Bright, full ruby. Slightly reduced aromas of dark berries, dark chocolate and spices; less expressive and wild than the 2015 version was at the same stage. Concentrated, silky and fine-grained, displaying sexy spice and violet lift to the concentrated dark berry and licorice flavors. I find more sweetness and primary fruit character--and more generosity of texture--than in the 2015 version of this bottling. The long finish hints at chocolatey ripeness but also shows lovely violet lift and a fine dusting of tannins. This needs aeration or a year or two in the cellar to shed its reductive quality. (I should note that a second bottle was a bit less generous and sweet.) (14.5% alcohol)

Pinches of Grenache (4%), Mourvèdre (4%) and Viognier (2%) round out this wine, providing lovely accents. The aromas show notes of flower, orange peel, raspberry candy, dried herb and cherry. The palate is full bodied and rich, with the tannins bringing some grip. Raspberry notes linger on the finish.

Precise and sleekly built, with blueberry, dusty herb and spice flavors. Drink now through 2023. 15,150 cases made.

While it's a bit dumb on the nose, reluctantly offering up notions of black pepper, lavender and dark fruit, the 2016 Syrah The Pundit is very texturally seductive, with a broad, voluptuous attack and satiny tannins. A collaboration between Chateau Ste Michelle, Michel Gassier and consulting enologist Philippe Cambie, it does display some of the style and structure Cambie is known for, but it lacks the concentration and intensity to score higher.