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

2012 Ayoub Chardonnay, USA, Oregon, Dundee Hills, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2012
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$45.00USD

A very nice Chardonnay from Oregon.  Light golden/yellow in color, just a hint of cloudiness.  The nose is big with a bit of oak/vanilla.  Nice red apples and a bit of lemon cream.  On the palate, this is a bit fat but enough acidity to make it work.  Apples and slight lemons.  Good finish.  This is terrific on it own, a bit more limited with food but would be great with sea food or lighter middle eastern foods.  While it won't get better, it still has five years (at least left).  

2017 Sineann Abondante, USA, Oregon, Columbia Valley, WIne Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$20.00USD

Sineann gets grapes in Oregon and Washington and makes quite a few different wines.  This one is a blend of grapes that did not get bottled as a single varietal.  It is always a great wine and a better value.  This vintage it contains Merlot, Cabernet and Zinfandel.  By the way, Abondante means "generous" in Italian.  Purple in color.  The nose has cassis, black cherries, spice, slight chocolate and forest floor.  On the palate, there are light tannins.  This is medium to full bodied.  Plenty of black cherry fruit with some cherry over a forest floor quality.  Good finish.  This is very fle

2018 14 Hands Rosé, USA, Washington, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
87
Grade: 
B
Current Price: 
$5.00USD

This is from a can although it appears they also sell this in bottles.  It is a blend of Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsault and Grenache.  It has a reasonably deep pink/ruby color.  The nose has cherries and raspberries.  On the palate, this is easy drinking and refreshing.  Flavors of cherries and strawberries.  No tannins.  Ready to drink now.  Worked well with salty fried food but should go with a wide variety of foods.  The trend of wine cans is catching on.  For wines that are made for now, this is a convenient, non-breakable alternative.  I hope more wineries go this route.  

2011 Amavi Cellars Syrah, USA, Washington, Walla Walla, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2011
Score: 
84
Grade: 
B
Current Price: 
$28.00USD

This is a Syrah from Washington state.  I am not up on my Washington vintages but I don't recall 2011 as being special.  Hopefully, this wine shows better in better vintages.  Purple in color.  The nose has some generic black fruit.  On the palate, there is some boysenberry.  Not much depth.  A bit bitter on the finish.  It seems like it might be a bit past its prime.  If you have any, hopefully it shows a bit better.  

2017 Sineann Grüner Veltliner Pear Blossom Vineyard, USA, Washington, Columbia Gorge Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$19.00USD

This is an interesting take on this varietal more known in Austria than Washington state.  Light green/gold in color and very pale.  The nose is nice with a lemon/lime quality but also a bit of pear and slight asparagus note.  On the palate, this has a tart lemon/lime note.  Slightly oily viscous texture.  A hint of sweetness but good acidity to work with it.  Still fresh but seems a bit rounder than on release.  It will be interesting to see how this ages though I would recommend drinking most of them in the next three years.  It will work with lighter foods or on its own.   

2016 Chateau Ste. Michelle & Dr. Loosen Riesling Eroica, USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, ine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$20.00USD

This is join venture made in Washington state.  Back in the day, this was a bit pricey vis a vis the other options but the price has remained stable and now full retail is about $25.  A nice wine for that price.  Light golden in color.  The nose has peaches, minerals and slight char.  With air a slight lychee note emerges.  On the palate, this is just slightly sweet.  Peaches with nice minerality.  A softer texture.  Nice finish.  This is drinking well now and should for the next five to ten at least.  It will work with almost any food.  Spicy foods would be great!  

2016 Harry & David Vineyards Royal Crest Red, USA, Oregon, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$20.00USD

This is from the Food and Gift purveyor Harry & David and made with Oregon fruit.  It is a "Bordeaux Styled" wine though the exact blend is unclear.  These wines sell as part of gift packages that one can order online or at a store.  It is quite good and was a real crowd pleaser.  Purple in color with ruby swirls.  The nose is dusty with black cherries and a nice earthiness to it.  On the palate, this has a nice acidity.  Tart cherry fruit over a forest floor base.  Silky tannins.  Nice finish.  This is food friendly and should go well with medium and heavier foods but especially meat a

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