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.  

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.  

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