In 2000, he proclaimed that ???Washington was one of its hotbeds;??? in 2001, he called it ???an up-and-coming star.??? In Washington, he predicted, syrah wouldn???t have to take a backseat to any other grape variety. ???Syrah in California might be overshadowed by chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon, and other big boys,??? he wrote, ???but it has a chance to make a name for itself in Washington.???