2017 Sineann Pinot Noir "TFL", USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-

TFL is a cuvee of some of the best barrels of Pinot Noir in the cellars.  This is deep ruby in color.  The nose has sour cherries, dust, cherries and spice.  On the palate, this has light tannins.  Sour cherry fruit.  This is young, of course, but delicious.  It will work well with fowl or heavier sea foods.  It is only bottle in a 375ml format, so ageing is not a long term option.  Still, these will certainly last another five to seven years and probably more.  

2017 M Cellars Chardonnay Reserve, Ohio, Grand River Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$25.00USD

Ohio used to be one of the top winemaking spots in the US.  While it no longer has the reputation it once had, there are some very good wines being made in Ohio.  This is especially true for the whites and the dessert wines.  Chardonnay, however, is not typically one of the more successful whites, but this is one of the best!  Light golden/green in color.  The nose is nice with melons, vanilla and slight spice.  On the palate, this has a creamy texture.  Light acidity.  The melons and vanilla come thru along with some tropical fruit.  Very refreshing and better if served cold to bring out m

2005 Sineann Pinot Noir Schindler Vineyard, USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2005
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$40.00USD

This is drinking very well right now.  Deep ruby in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has cherries, sour cherries, a damp forest floor and slight baking spices.  Full bodied.  On the palate, this has a juicy texture.  Black cherry fruit, slight sour cherries with a bit of forest floor.  Deep, complex and layered.  Good balance.  Nice finish.  This is at peak and this will be there for the next five to seven years before slowly fading.  It goes well with roasted fowl and vegetable dishes.  

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.  

NV J. Bookwalter Notebook 13NV Red Blend, USA, Washington, Columbia Valley

Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+

This is a multi-vintage, multi grape cuvee.  It is released on a regular basis, this being the 13th iteration.  It is a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Syrah, 12% Malbec, 2% Petit Verdot, and 1% Mourvedre.  This is really quite good and an excellent value.  Deep ruby in color.  The nose is dusty and warm with nice black cherry fruit.  On the palate, the black cherries come thru along with some sour cherries.  Medium tannins.  Moderate finish.  This rinks quite easily and would be a nice choice for parties.  It will go with all but the lightest of foods.  Drink over the next couple of y

2009 Thomas Pinot Noir Dundee Hills

Vintage: 
2009
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

This is in a good place right now and drinking well.   Deep ruby in color.  The nose is tight at first but with air shows cherries, sour cherries and an underlying earthiness.  Good balance.  Lively acidity.  On the palate, the sour cherries dominate but the underlying earthiness is still present.  A nice complexity as the layers unwind in the glass.  Seems very clearly of Oregon.  Long finish.  This will go well with fowl dishes.  No hurry, it should easily do another decade and closer to two.  

2017 Chateau Ste. Michelle Gewürztraminer, USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
87
Grade: 
B

Another great value from this winery.  Light golden in color.  The nose has lychees and a bit of minerals.  Medium bodied, slightly viscous.  Moderate acidity.  This is slightly sweet on the palate.  A bit of citrus.  Nice finish.  This drinks easily on its own and works with lighter or medium bodied foods.  Drink now, this was probably a bit fresher a year or so ago.  

NV Canned Oregon White Bubbles, USA, Oregon, Wine Review

Score: 
86
Grade: 
B
Current Price: 
$7.00USD

This is a canned bottle of sparkling wine.  It seems to be some sort of Champagne blend that sells for $7 a 375ml can.  It's easy to make fun of this wine, but I found it fine.  It would probably be a bigger hit with millennial's and Gen-Z'ers than a bunch of crabby old men.  Light golden in color.   Not much of a nose to it.  Slight minerality.  On the palate, this is slightly sweet, slightly tart.  Citrus.  Some minerality.  Easy to drink.  Quick finish.  There is a place for canned sparkling wines as they are easier to transport (and safer) and open.  

2015 Sineann Pinot Noir Wy'east Reserve, USA, Oregon, Columbia Gorge, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A

Peter Rosback will occasionally pull a barrel that is at a higher level and bottle it as a Reserve.  Such is the case with this bottle.  Deep ruby in color.  The nose is great with sour cherries, black cherries, baking spices and slight cedar.  On the palate, this has a great texture.  Lush, yet with plenty of vibrancy.  Juicy sour cherry fruit over some earthiness with a bit of char.  Good acidity.  Long finish.  This should continue to improve for five to seven years and be good for a decade or two after that.  It will work well with fowl or heartier sea food dishes.  

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