Wine Enthusiast Buying Guide
New Selections coming March 2007
93 2004 Cuvée Elena G-S-M Columbia Valley
91 2004 McKinley Springs Vineyard Syrah Horse Heaven Hills
90 2005 Alder Ridge Vineyard Roussanne Horse Heaven Hills
89 2004 Destiny Ridge Vineyard Syrah Horse Heaven Hills
88 2005 Subduction Rhône Red Blend Columbia Valley
88 2005 Viognier Columbia Valley
93 2004 Milbrandt Vineyards Syrah
A superb follow-up to the winery's 2003 Milbrandt, it's the same 40/60 blend from Clifton and Sundance, both located in Washington's new Wahluke Slope AVA. A penetrating nose of cherries, violets, blueberries and black olives leads into a wine that masks its power with finesse. Licorice, tar and smoke wrap around the bright raspberry fruit core, with just a wiff of white pepper. Great winemaking, and a price point more wineries should emulate.
92 2003 Late Harvest Chenin Blanc
From 22-year-old vines, this is 100% barrel fermented, and retains 20.5% residual sugar. Still, it’s not cloying; it’s lively with stone fruits, mown hay and some high-toned esters. It tastes of apples, butterscotch and candy; finishes long with plenty of acid support.
90 2003 Syncline Rose Grenache
A gorgeous bottle, dry and persistent, showing pretty strawberry/cherry fruit, some bread dough yeastiness, and a long, smooth finish. This is made as a saignée, with the pressed juice going into the winery’s Subduction Red. Gorgeous effort.
90 2001 Syncline Milbrandt Vineyards Syrah
Rough, tannic, and oaky, this has a lot of power and presence. A resonant, deep, densely fruity wine, with rich, liquorous, tannic flavors, lingering sweetness and a finishing kiss of sweet oak.
90 2002 Reserve Syrah
The blend is 94% Syrah, 5% Grenache and 1% Viognier. New oak is apparent, displaying roasted coffee, bitter chocolate and vanilla cream flavors. Very smooth.
89 2003 Reserve McKinley Springs Vineyard Syrah
Ambitiously styled, with a thick, voluptuous mouthfeel and lavish notes of smoke, toast and chocolate. If it sounds okay, it is, but it still tastes good, with enough blackberry fruit to stand up to the wood. Finishes with a softly dusty note and ripe tannins.
89 2004 Syncline Viognier
Ambitiously styled, with a thick, voluptuous mouthfeel and lavish notes of smoke, toast and chocolate. If it sounds oaky, it is, but it still tastes good, with enough blackberry fruit to stand up to the wood. Finishes with a softly dusty note and ripe tannins.
89 2002 Syncline Milbrandt Vineyards Syrah
Sweet, spicy, almost pungent with meaty, bright berry scents. It shows a beautiful nose, fragrant and seductive, spiced with white pepper, blueberry and violets. It’s clean and lifted, with everything—alcohol included—in balance.
88 2003 Syncline Clifton Vineyard Viognier
This is a penetrating, ripe style. It’s a nice effort with this difficult grape, big but not blowsy, with nuances of orange peel, citrus, apricot and honeysuckle.
88 2002 Syncline Celilo Vineyard Pinot Noir
A sturdy style, with thick, not heavy flavors of strawberry and pomegranate and cranberry. An interesting style, neither Oregonian nor Burgundian, but big and broad, with somewhat rustic but flavorful fruit. Perfumed, clean and lightly spicy.
87 2001 Syncline Subduction Red
Here’s a very popular, fruity and accessible blend. No focused, varietal character, and none intended. Just a soft, tasty, value red wine.