2022 Baby Bear Syrah, Pursued by Bear

Velvet Claws

Dark, expressive and beautifully composed, the 2022 Baby Bear Syrah has all the richness you want from Washington Syrah, but with a lovely sense of lift and polish. Blackberry, blueberry and ripe plum rise first, followed by violet, lavender and cracked pepper, giving the wine both depth and aromatic freshness from the outset. On the palate, black cherry, boysenberry and dark cocoa unfold in layers, joined by savoury herbs, a touch of black olive and a subtle thread of spice. Fine-grained tannins give the wine shape, while lively acidity keeps everything bright and balanced. The finish is long, polished and vibrant, echoing the wine’s dark fruit depth and quiet energy.

For when: the grill is glowing, the evening is cool, and the food needs a red with real depth and swagger.
Pairs with: lamb chops, smoky sausages, chargrilled aubergine, or slow-cooked beef with herbs.
If this wine were a place: a dark hillside at dusk, with warm earth underfoot and spice on the evening air.

Pursued by Bear is the Washington State project founded by Kyle MacLachlan, built around wines that combine Columbia Valley fruit richness with a more polished, food-friendly sense of finesse. The 2022 Baby Bear draws fruit in equal parts from Les Collines in Walla Walla, Phinny Hill in Horse Heaven Hills and Lewis Vineyard in the Columbia Valley, each site bringing something different to the blend, from floral lift and refined tannins to concentration, purity and freshness. Handpicked, carefully sorted, fermented in stainless steel and aged in a mix of new and used 600-litre puncheons, it is a Syrah that feels generous, layered and beautifully put together.