Syncline Rosé 2010

Review:

The winemakers love crisp, dry Rosé and this creation is their definition of serious Rosé. Six different grapes each offer something to the recipe: The Pinot noir: acidity and strawberry. The Cinsault: aromas of violets and rosewater. The Grenache: juicy strawberry and musky watermelon rind. The Mourvedre: spice. The last two, the Counoise and the Carignan add fresh acidity and rip berry. This is a dry, complicated Rose.

Our creation of this wine is in direct response to our love of crisp, dry Rosé. The color is a striking pale rose with aromas of strawberry, stone fruit and melon. Each grape lends unique attributes to the overall complexity. The Pinot Noir base provides strawberry and refreshing acidity, Cinsault offers the unmistakable aroma of rose water and violets, Grenache contributes juicy strawberry and musky watermelon rind aromas and flavors, Mourvedre imparts its characteristic spice to the mix, Counoise and Carignan yield fresh acidity and ripe berry notes. Finishing completely dry, this is as serious as Rosé gets. Varietals: 33% Pinot Noir, 17% Grenache, 17% Cinsault, 15% Carignan, 9% Mourvedre, 9% Counoise. - the winery

2009 Vintage Tasting Notes

Immediately striking with pale water-melon color, the aromas practically leap from the glass. A medley of different grapes yield a full satisfying dry wine: The Cinsault base gives the unmistakable aroma of rose water and violets, Grenache gives juicy strawberry and musky watermelon rind aromas and flavors, Mourvedre sends its characteristic spice to the mix, Counoise and Carignan bring fresh acidity and ripe berry notes. Finishing completely dry, this is as serious as rosé gets.

Appellation: Horse Heaven Hills and Wahluke Slope, Columbia Valley
Varietals: 37% Cinsault / 35% Counoise / 12% Grenache / 11% Mourvedre / 5% Carignan

This wine is more an exploration of the Columbia Valley than a representation of any one varietal or vineyard. What is important for us lies in what each site contributes to the overall blend. Grenache is sourced from Milbrandt (Wahluke Slope) and McKinley Springs Vineyard(Horse Heaven Hills). Counoise and Carignan are from McKinley Springs Vineyard. Cinsault is from both McKinley Springs and Gunkel Vineyards (Columbia Valley). Mourvedre is from both Gunkel and Coyote Canyon Vineyard (a remarkable hillside in the Horse Heaven Hills).