What Are You Drinking?

Bo Barrett, Chateau Montelena Winery

“A 1996 Sunstone Vineyards Syrah. I was in the [Santa Ynez] area looking for something different than we have in Napa. And the hot, happening wine--the buzz in California--is the Syrah. It was really ripe and round. It had a spiciness. And kind of a black olive tone. I had it with a grilled eggplant sandwich on focaccia. I think it would be a good barbecue wine.”