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.  

2015 Sineann Merlot Champoux Vineyard, USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$35.00USD

This is made by an Oregon producer using Washington fruit.  Screw capped.  Champoux Vineyard is one of Washington's finest.  This Merlot is quite good and certainly better than many California Merlots at similar pricing.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose has black cherries, chocolate,  and spice.  On the palate, this is medium bodied.  Some depth.  Light tannins.  This is still youthful and may improve a bit over the next three to five years.  It should be good for another five to seven after that.  It will work well with roasts and casseroles.  

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

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A

Sineann lost a couple of it's best vineyard sources but this vineyard seems better than ever.  Of course, this is a reserve bottling.  Medium/dark ruby in color.  The nose has cherries, sour cherries, baking spices, and cedar.  A slight dry earthiness comes out with air.  On the palate, this has a wonderful texture.  Sour cherries and cherries over spices with slight char.  Good finish.  This is a delicious wine.  It has a nice depth but will need to be aged a bit to show some delineations.  It will continue to get better for the next five years or so and be good for ten to fifteen after th

2006 Sineann Syrah The Old Ball and Chain, USA, Oregon, Columbia Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2006
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+

This is an artificially frozen dessert wine from the Scorched Earth Vineyard.  It is made from Syrah grapes that were harvested at 37 brix.  The residual sugar 8% and 14.5% ABV.  It has held up quite well and is drinking very well, perhaps, on better now.  Purple in color.  The nose has black raspberries, a simple syrup note, plums and chocolate covered raisins.  On the palate, this is drinking well.  Sweet, not cloying.  Very port-like.  Not a ton of complexity.  Goes quite well with a bit of cheese or chocolate.  This was a one off and only made this one time.  

2009 Sineann Pinot Noir Reserve Schindler Vineyard, USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2009
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A

Sineann sadly no longer utilizes fruit from this vineyard.  Panther Creek does, but I have yet to try one.  Peter Rosback did amazing things with this vineyard back in the day.  At age 10, this is still youthful but drinking wonderfully.  For Oregon, Sineann wines tend to be big at birth, but as they age, they mellow and integrate.  This one is just starting to.  Deep ruby in color.  The nose has cherries, slight sour cherries, a slight bit of cedar and a nice earthiness.  On the palate, the sour cherries and slight cherries layer with the clean earthiness.  Great balance and energy.  Deep

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