Syncline Winery : Our Wines
Roussanne Columbia Valley
Production: About 125 cases
Tasting Notes
Clear pale straw color. This wine shows classic Roussanne aromatics of almonds, pear and exotic teas. Flavors lead with pears and peach stone, followed by chamomile flowers, almonds and mangos finishing with a rich mouth feel and a fine persistent finish. This is an extremely beguiling wine that unfolds over time. Truly a classic representation of this red wine drinkers white wine. Drink now or over the next ten years.
Harvest Notes
Appellation: Columbia Valley (Horse Heaven)
Harvest Dates: Late September early October
Varietals: 97% Roussanne - 3% Viognier
Vineyard: 97% Alder Ridge - 3% Coyote Canyon
Vineyards
Alder Ridge Vineyard is one of Washington’s premier vineyard sites. Located in the Horse Heaven Hills right on the banks of the Columbia River, the two acre Roussanne block is planted on one of the best spots in the vineyard. With a direct southern aspect, this block receives long hours of sunlight with evenings cooled by the river. Soils are wind blown loess and caliche on top of basalt. Plant material is the Tablas Creek clone.
Fermentation and Aging
The fruit is hand harvested into 30 pound harvest boxes and transported to the winery in the early morning. All fruit is whole cluster pressed with press fractions kept separate. Settled overnight without the use of sulfites and then racked to older French oak barrels. Inoculated in barrel, fermentation completes in mid November. Occasional lees stirring and no malolactic fermentation contribute richness while maintaining acidity. Blended and sterile bottled in June.