STAKES RACE
Definition of stakes race:
a horse race in which the prize offered is made up at least in part of money (such as entry fees) put up by the owners of the horses entered
— called also stake race
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Stakes races are the highest classification in horse racing. For a horse to be eligible to run in a stake race, the horse’s owner must pay either a nomination fee, entry fee, or a starting fee. The fees paid by the owners are added to the purse money.
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Stakes races are reserved for premium horses and typically pay the most significant purses. Most tracks will host at least two stake races per season. However, some of the more prestigious tracks have a featured stakes race each week.
ALCOHOL
14.80%
2013
STAKES RACE
SYRAH
There’s a considerable pedigree to this Syrah with grapes from Boushey, Clifton Hill, Kiona and Stillwater Creek. They mount up for a dense, dark and inky ride that opens with extracted nose of blackberry, plum sauce, bittersweet chocolate and vanilla bean. There’s an easy pace to the structure of elderberry pie, blueberry juice and plum skin tannins that show nice integration. A firm hold of tannins and vanilla extract makes for a big showing at finish.
VARIETAL COMPOSITION
100% Syrah
ALCOHOL
13.80%
VARIETAL COMPOSITION
2014
STAKES RACE
SYRAH
This savory and complex blend of 100% Syrah spent 18 months in both neutral and new French oak. Right out of the gate come alluring aromas of blackberry jam, smoked meat and dark chocolate backed by toast, cedar and spice. Turning for home and spilling into the mouth are boysenberry, fig, tar and gamey meaty smoke. Dusty tannins surround blueberry acidity and make this long-strided, complex wine deliver a delicious winning finish. Exacta pairing would be with BBQ or any protein!
100% Syrah
2016
STAKES RACE
SYRAH
Unique blend savory style combines Syrah and Grenache from three vineyard sites Les Collines, Discovery and Riviere Galets.
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Washington Wine Blog says... this wine shows off rich black currant, black tea and black cherry cordial aromatics. The texture here is really nice, as the wine reveals lovely black fruits with a touch of nutmeg.
ALCOHOL
14.40%
VARIETAL COMPOSITION
Syrah & Grenache