Flowers and sweet fruit scents, with slurpable plum, black and red cherries. It's classic Zin, but with nice balance for food. The wine is made from the tiny, old vine Hillside Vineyard in the Columbia Gorge. Everything that makes Zin addicting.

Wine Press NW says: "Outstanding! This Willamette Valley winery focuses on hot-climate grape varieties from the vineyards around The Dalles, Ore., which is part of the Columbia Valley appellation. This superior Syrah opens with aromas of bright currants, vanilla and hints of oak with huge flavors of black fruit. Drink now with a thick steak or put in the cellar for a few years."

The winery says: "Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus and we think he'll find this one a keeper on those cold winter nights. More aromas of rich raspberry preserves than anything else delight your olfactory senses while the essence of the fruit is concentrated as it coats your tongue. Ample alcohol adds to the sweetness effect in the mouth without drying or a residual "heat" in the finish. This wine is great with just about anything (even PB&J) and holds it's own without overpowering many desserts - pairs especially well with chocolate. YUM!"