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.

2015 Callaghan Vineyards Malvasia Bianca Amor Fati, USA, Arizona, Willcox, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+

This is a late harvest syled dessert wine from Arizona.  Light golden in color.  There is a lot of volatile acidity on the nose, but with air, some/most of it blows off.  There is some honey and white raisins on the nose. On the palate this is viscous.  Slightly sweet though not cloying.  It lacks some much needed acidity.  The honey comes thru to the palate, along with slight peach.  Shorter finish. It worked with a not too sweet carrot cake.  It should last for five to ten more years although the VA is a bit worrying.  

2016 Winderlea Vintage Sparkling Brut, USA, Oregon, Willamette, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$65.00USD

This is the inaugural vintage for this wine.  A blend of 60% Chardonnay and 40% Pinot Noir.  The dosage (added sugar) was 4g/l which is very low.  Light silvery golden in color with a fine line of tiny bubbles.  The nose is expressive.  Very clean with pears, slight lanolin, lemon curd and yeast with underlying slight nuttiness and a hint of smoke.  On the palate, this has a nice crispness.  Light strawberries with more profound lemon cream along with a slight nuttiness.  There is some orange rind on the finish.  Clean and deep, it is tight in the glass.  No guess as to how it ages balancin

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

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A

This might be the best one of these yet.  The TFL is a blend of Sineann's best barrels of Pinot Noir.  It comes in 375ml bottles only.  This is a bit bigger but they age well, so if that is an issue, just let them mellow out in the cellar.  Purple in color with ruby swirls.  The nose has black cherries, cherries and baking spices.  Full bodied.  On the palate, the blak cherries dominate yet there is a lovely softness to the wine that makes it accessible now.  Good balance.  Light tannins.  Even in a 375ml size, this should easily last another ten years.  It drinks well on its own and will w

2018 Sineann Red Table Wine, USA, Oregon, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$18.00USD

This is the "leftovers" from Sineann.  Every vintage is slightly different but it usually has Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet and Zinfandel.  It is a great value.  Deep ruby in color.  The nose has cherries, black raspberries, spice and a woody note.  On the palate, this is medium bodied.  Light tannins.  Lots of lively cherry and black cherry fruit.  Good finish.  This is easy drinking and works well on its own.  It also works well with burgers or pizza.  Made for immediate drinking, it will drink well for the next five years.  

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.  

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