2013 Cayuse Syrah Bionic Frog, USA, Washington, Walla Walla, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2013
Score: 
97
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$260.00USD

This has really opened nicely since I last tried it.  Still young, but delicious.  Perhaps the best wine from Washington that I have had.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is great with black raspberries, boysenberries, black cherries, black olives and tarragon.  No burnt rubber that sometimes shows up in Washington Syrah.  Full bodied.  On the palate, the black and purple fruits dominate.  Black pepper.  Slight black olive with underlying minerals/rocks.  Wonderful lush but fluid texture.  Long finish.  Delicious.  This is still maturing and should be great drinking for t

2008 Sineann Cabernet Sauvignon, USA, Washington, Columbia Gorge, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2008
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+

This is the entry level Cab from the producer of Washington and Oregon wines.  It is a solid wine for the price.  It utilized a glass closure ("Cork") which probably has kept it a bit fresher over the years.  Deep ruby/purple in color.  The nose has black cherries, slight spice and a hint of fennel.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, the black cherries come thru.  Tannins are resolved.  It tastes fresh but lacks depth or complexity.  Moderate finish.  At $30, this is a solid wine, but for my money, it is worth the extra money for the better Cabs.  drink this sooner than later, it won't get bet

2013 Cayuse Syrah En Cerise Vineyard, USA, Washington, Walla Walla, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2013
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$95.00USD

Another top wine from Cayuse.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has black raspberries, black cherries, burnt rubber (in a good way), black olives and iron.  What a great texture.  Juicy and velvety.  On the palate, the black raspberry dominates with some underlying minerality and a hint of funk/musk.  Long finish.  This is still young but chugging along.  It may still improve a bit over the next few years and then be good for another 15 after that.  

2008 Sineann Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Baby Poux Vineyard, USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2008
Score: 
98
Grade: 
A+

Wow.  What a showing.  The grapes for this come from a "young" block in the Champoux vineyard.  Of course, they were not really that young in 2008.  And the best few barrels of this were bottles separately as a "Reserve".  This may be the best Washington Cabernet I have had.  Period.  OK, let's get this part out of the way.  I know the producer - Peter Rosback.  We have been friends for over 40 years since our college days, but I don't believe that influenced this review.  I literally had to go back and check the bottle after taking a few sip.  Purple in color.  The nose has cassis, black c

2012 Random Wine Company Petit Verdot, USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2012
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-

It's not often that Petite Verdot is bottled on its own.  More typically, it is found in small amounts in Bordeaux blends, so this was an interesting treat.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  On the nose there are plums, slight blueberries, slight lilac, spice and char.  Full bodied.  On the palate, the plums come thru strong with slight blueberries and underlying gravel.  It is tasty but not complex.  More mono-dimensional.  Still, it is quite enjoyable to drink and unique.  Light tannins.  Moderate finish.  This probably will go another five to eight years.  A nice match with grilled f

2016 K Vintners Syrah Powerline Estate, USA, Washington, Walla Walla, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
96
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$40.00USD

One of my favorite Washington Syrahs, the 2016 is right up there.  These are big Syrahs, especially for Washington, but they will come down with age.  inky purple in color, ruby at the rim.  Opaque and bright.  The nose is great with black raspberries, black pepper and a slight floral (violets?) note.  Full bodied.  Wonderful, juicy texture.  Tons of black raspberry fruit on the palate with an underlying roasted herb note.

2012 Sineann Cabernet Sauvignon Baby Poux Vineyard, USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2012
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

This is a great value in Washington Cabs.  When it was first being made, this was from younger vines in the Champoux Vineyard, hence the name.  Now the vines have a bit of age to them and the resultant wine shows more depth and complexity.  Purple in color.  The nose has cassis, boysenberries, spice, slight char and coffee.  On the palate, this has nice layers of cassis, char and earth.  Wonderful texture.  Light tannins.  Good finish.  This may still improve a bit but either way, it should drink well for another ten to fifteen years.  It will go well with a steak or roast.  

2012 Columbia Crest Walter Clore Private Reserve, USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2012
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$20.00USD

This is an excellent value in red wine.  It is a blend of 80% Merlot with the remainder Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Malbec.  Deep ruby in color.  The nose has black cherries, black raspberries, dark chocolate and a hint of spice.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, this has nice black cherry fruit with some depth.  Light tannins.  Underlying earthiness.  Good acidity.  Nice finish.  This drinks well on its own and should be great with poultry dishes or even a burger.  It should be consumed over the next five to seven years.  While wine prices vary at the time of this writing, this wi

2018 Sineann Abondante, USA, Oregon/Washington, Columbia Valley,Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$22.00USD

This is always a great value from Oregon/Washington producer Sineann.  Peter Rossback makes a lot of a wide variety of wines.  Once he is done, he makes a couple of different blends with the leftovers.  The Abondante is the better of the two (the other is labelled Red Wine).  This sells for around $22 and comes screw capped!  This vintage is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet and Zinfandel.  Deep ruby in color.  The nose has cherries, black cherries, slight chocolate and char.  On the palate, this is medium bodied.  Drinking well right now.  Light tannins.  Good finish.  This should drink well for

2016 Sineann Cabernet Franc Phinny Hill Vineyard, USA, Washington, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-

A few months ago, we reviewed the Cabernet Sauvignon from the vintage and vineyard, so it was nice to go back and taste the Cab Franc.  While not quite at that level, it is quite good.  Purple in color.  The nose has black cherries, cigar tobacco and cedar.  On the palate, this has a lush but sinewy texture.  Lots of black cherry fruit.  Some depth.  Good balance.  Medium tannins.  Nice length.  This should continue to mature and may improve a bit.  It works well on its own but better with food.  Roasts or casseroles go well.  

Pages