2015 Tenet Wines Syrah The Pundit, USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-

This is a great value for around $20.  Having had it in multiple vintages, it is very consistent.  Inky purple in color.  The nose is dusty with black raspberries, black pepper and some cedar.  A bit of roasted meat as well.  On the palate, this is big and fruity but there is also depth and complexity.  Bright acidity.  Good finish.  This will work with big or spicy foods.  It should last for 5 to 8 years but probably won't get better.  That's ok, it is really good today.  

2014 Revelry Vintners Syrah Block 18, USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-

Purple with ruby swirls.  The nose is tight on opening but reveals smoky black raspberries.  On the palate, this is sweet black raspberry fruit.  It has a nice complexity to it and is more "elegant" than a fruit bomb.  Drinking quite well, it will probably still improve with good cellaring.  Food friendly for most foods.  Nice finish.  It retails for around $60.

2014 K Vintners Syrah Motor City Kitty, USA, Washington, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

Purple/ruby in color.  The nose has black raspberries, black pepper and a burnt rubber note that is present (in a good way) in many Washington Syrahs.  On the palate, there is nice boysenberry fruit.  Layered but tight with fruit and crushed rocks.  There is an almost seamless texture to this wine that is really nice.  It will work with a wide variety of food and has a nice backbone of acidity to assist.  Good finish.  This competes with wines at twice the price.  Good now, it probably won't improve but should remain here for at least five and probably ten more years.  

2015 Charles Smith Syrah Boom Boom, USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-

In a tasting, two bottles were tasted side by side.  They showed differently.  Was it because the wines were in a different place in the line-up or the bottles came from different stores and had been treated differently?  Hard to say, but tasted in a group, we had different reactions.  There is an inherent bias that blind tasting removes prejudices and it probably does, but it also introduces its own set of biases that can not be discounted.  Bottle #1 was the first glass tasted while bottle #2 was the 9th.  

2009 Sineann Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Baby Poux Vineyard

Vintage: 
2009
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

The name for this wine comes from the fact that way back in the day, these were the youngest vines in the Champoux Vineyard.  They may still hold that distinction, but these wines are getting close to thirty years old now.  This wine is a great example of Washington Cabernet.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose has cassis, cherries, slight spice and some leather.  On the palate, this seems to be getting close but not yet at peak.  Layers of cherries, cassis and dry earth.  Mild tannins.  Nice finish.  This will go well with heartier foods.  It may still have some upside and certain

2014 K Vintners Syrah Powerline Estate, USA, Washington, Walla Walla, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
96
Grade: 
A

Inky purple in color.  The nose has black raspberries, black pepper and violets.  On the palate, this is almost seamless.  Black raspberry fruit, some black pepper.  Great juicy but lush texture.  Complex.  Long finish.  Needs big or spicy foods but there is enough acidity to handle them.  This is delicious and so easy to drink now, but should continue to mature for another 5 to 7 years and be good for at least a decade after that.  

2014 K Vintners Syrah Klein, USA, Washington, Walla Walla, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A

Deep ruby in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose is dusty with black raspberries.  Good acidity.  On the palate there is nice boysenberry fruit.  Lots of fruit with an underlying char.  Good finish.  This is young and tight.  It comes across as more of a cooler climate Syrah.  It probably needs another five years to really strut its stuff and be good for a decade after that.  Lots of potential for upside here though it is excellent right now.  

2007 Kinkead Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon, USA, Ohio River Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2007
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+

About 150 years ago, the Ohio River Valley was one of the top wine producing spots in the United States.  These days, the wine industry is more tourist based, but a decade ago, Kinkead Ridge was producing some excellent reds and 2007 was a great vintage (something that only happens maybe once a decade).  This one is drinking just fine right now at age 11.  Purple in color, slight ruby at the rim.  The nose shows some tobacco, cherries, and slight spice.  Slight tannins on the palate.  Cherries with some depth and layering.  Nice balance.  In short, this drinks like a ten year old Brodeaux f

2016 Maysara Winery Pinot Blanc Arsheen, USA, Oregon, McMinville, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
86
Grade: 
B

Light golden in color.  The nose is mild with pears and melons.  On the palate, there is a slight diesel note but also some slight fruit.  It has a round texture, but lacks much acidity or intensity.  It is enjoyable, but leaves one wanting for a bit more.  Some of that is the varietal but still.  $19 retail.  A very solid wine.  Drink now this may have been better a year ago.  

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