2008 Domaine Drouhin Oregon Pinot Noir Laurène, USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2008
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-

Deep ruby in color.  The nose has nice sour cherries, some spice.  The palate matches the nose.  This is drinking well if not yet at maturity.  There is some complexity here as it opens in the glass.  Good with a wide variety of foods.  Not sure if it will improve but should continue to mature for at least another decade.  

2015 Sineann Abondante, USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-

This is a blend of a whole bunch of leftover grapes.  At $20, this is always a great value but especially so in the better vintages like 2015.  Purple in color.  The nose has black cherries, cherries and spice.  On the palate, this has a nice texture.  Good acidity.  Easy drinking with some depth and varietal complexity.  Good finish.  Very food friendly.  It now comes as a screw cap which is nice.  

2013 Sineann Pinot Gris Wy'east Vineyard, USA, Oregon, Columbia Gorge, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2013
Score: 
87
Grade: 
B+

A very interesting wine for a couple of reasons.  First, the Columbia Gorge AVA is the only AVA that spans across two states (Oregon and Washington).  Second, drinking a Pinot Gris at five years from vintage is really pushing it, but this was screw capped which gave it a fighting chance. This is a wine that was drinking great in 2014 with plenty of fruit but its now 2018.   Light silvery gold in color.  The nose has a nice fresh minerality to it but little fruit.  On the palate, this has a nice texture.  13% Alc.  There is some minerality and a hint of citrus though there really isn't much

2008 Thomas Pinot Noir Dundee Hills, USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2008
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A

Jon Thomas is one of those winemakers that every region seems to have.  Idiosyncratic but making some of the best wines in the region.  This is ruby in color.  The nose is nice with slightly sour cherries.  With air, cherries emerge as well.  On the palate, this is complex with layers of cherries and spice.  Long finish.  Thomas wines are made for the long haul and this is no exception.  Drinking great with air, its best days are still ahead.  This will improve.  Works well with a large variety of foods.  This is an Oregon wine, it is not "Burgundian" or Californian.  And, it competes and e

2017 Sineann Pinot Gris, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+

This is a nice, easy Pinot Gris.  $20 is a fair price.  Consumed over three nights, it was pretty much the same each night.  Screw capped.  Light golden/green in color.  The nose has slight peach but mostly minerals.  On the palate, there is a nice backbone of acidity.  Slightly oily texture.  minerals.  Slight peach.  Food friendly or on its own.  

2011 Sineann Abondante, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2011
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-

This is always a great value in wine.  Its basically, the ends of the myriad of bottlings that are produced here all blended into one wine.  It costs under $25 and every vintage, though a bit different is tasty.  It also lasts for at least five years probably at least ten.  This one is purple in color.  The nose has dark cherries, some chocolate, sour cherries and spice.  On the palate, this has a nice complexity.  Slight depth.  Slight tannins.  Juicy acidity.  Works well with food or on its own.  Long finish.  A crowd pleaser every time.  

2016 Sineann Pinot Noir Oregon, USA, Oregon, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-

This is actually one of the better values in Oregon Pinot Noir from year to year.  It is a blend of what is left over after the single vineyard bottlings.  It is a great way to check in on a vintage and the fact that it is available in a 375ml format makes it great from a lot of purposes.  Ruby/purple in color.  The nose has sour cherries with some black cherries.  Light tannins on the palate.  Juicy, black cherry fruit.  Finishes a bit sour.  These are on the larger size for Oregon Pinot but age quite well and after a decade drink much more mature.  

2017 Sineann Grüner Veltliner, Washington, Columbia Gorge, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-

Over the last few vintages, this has become one of my favorite inexpensive go to whites.  It is tasty, unique and affordable.  At $20, direct from the winery if you can't find it locally, this is a really interesting version of Gruner.  Light silver/green/gold in color.  The nose has canned peaches, limes and minerals.  On the palate, this is much fatter than the Austrian versions and more fruit.  Canned peaches and minerals come thru.  A tart citrus as well.  Good acidity.  Food friendly.  Nice finish.  I would drink these in the first few years.  It might last longer but that verve won't

2008 Sineann Pinot Noir Resonance Vineyard, USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2008
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A

This vineyard now belongs to Jadot USA but prior to that, Sineann made some of the best Oregon Pinot Noir from it.  At ten years from vintage this is still young.  Ruby/purple in color.  The nose has black cherries and some spice.  On the palate, this is deep and complex.  Black cherry and cherry fruit, layered with damp forest floor.  Great lush texture.  Lots of energy.  Long finish.  Worked great with food.  At least a decade more of development until peak.  Certainly a couple points of upside possible.  

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