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| Drinking Windows and Values |
| Drinking window: Drink between 2016 and 2022 (based on 5 user opinions) |
| Community Tasting History |
| Community Tasting Notes (average 90.8 pts. and median of 91 pts. in 28 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by Bluecollar on 9/18/2022 & rated 92 points: Full bodied and mature, yet easily approachable with no decanting. Engaging nose of black and blue fruits with earthiness and black pepper mid palate. Firm tannins with a medium length finish. (404 views) | | | Tasted by curtr on 2/2/2022: Was better a year ago. Fruit is fading. (510 views) | | | Tasted by curtr on 9/19/2021 & rated 90 points: Drink now with no decant. (658 views) | | | Tasted by Ewhite30 on 2/22/2020 & rated 91 points: Open and ready after a quick splash decant. It pours deep, dark purple, bricking at the edge. Smells of blueberries and blackberries, lilac, herbs and charcoal. Drinks great, adding notes of mocha and gravel.
It started to breakdown a bit at the last glass around four hours later. Drinking great but I would enjoy in the next year or so.
Our bottle had lots of sediment so I would encourage decanting. (877 views) | | | Tasted by Bluecollar on 12/28/2019 & rated 91 points: Initially tight and must be given some time to soften after opening. Much better the 2nd day with a fantastic finish. Could easily cellar for 5 yrs more. (826 views) | | | Tasted by Bluecollar on 12/9/2018 & rated 92 points: Amazing Syrah Library Wine Tasting 2006-2015:
Solid and well balanced. A little tighter than expected, might give just a little longer (800 views) | | | Tasted by shorty01 on 12/29/2017 & rated 91 points: Evolved nicely over a four hour period. Lots of opulent berry juiciness, and not at all jammy. The backsplash of acid enhances the rich Syrah mouth feel, encouraging another sip. Last bottle for me, but newer vintages in my possession to get excited about. (896 views) | | | Tasted by Halfeel on 11/17/2017 & rated 91 points: Very nice - smooth and supple. (902 views) | | | Tasted by Carniolan on 12/3/2016: yummy, lots of life left (1417 views) | | | Tasted by shorty01 on 7/16/2016 & rated 90 points: Old world, new world balance. Improved over a couple of hours. Probably should have decanted. (1333 views) | | | Tasted by bajayngo on 4/13/2014: Always dig what Syncline does with their wines. Sappy blueberry and wild blackberry fruit followed by fresh loam and a good dose of pepper. Went very well with Lamb loin chops with a taziki sauce on the side. (2814 views) | | | Tasted by ob2s on 2/28/2014 & rated 90 points: wow very good, but not $30 good, ouch. (2758 views) | | | Tasted by Jamesgold on 12/17/2013 & rated 93 points: In a really nice place. (2458 views) | | | Tasted by curtr on 9/6/2013 & rated 90 points: Balanced, needs 2 more years of age to fill in. Very nice presentation. I like the new glass closure. Let's see how this ages. (2455 views) | | | Tasted by fredman on 8/17/2013 & rated 90 points: Good now, but should improve with a few more years of cellaring. (2049 views) | | | Tasted by Jamesgold on 6/30/2013 & rated 93 points: Dark fruit, a little coffee and sweet bacon. Glad I still have another to age a while longer. (1117 views) | | | Tasted by Bluecollar on 2/14/2013 & rated 92 points: This is really begining to shine and has put on weight since my last tasting. Still full of lush black fruit and racey mouth watering tanins, but now pulling in some leather, earth, coffee notes. finish is long and mouth coating. Ready now with heavy decanting, but don't drink it all because like previous vintages there is much more to come from this wine. (1352 views) | | | Only displaying the 25 most recent notes - click to see all notes for this wine... |
| By Stephen Tanzer
Vinous, November/December 2012, IWC Issue #165
(Syncline Wine Cellars Syrah McKinley Springs Vineyard Horse Heaven Hills) Subscribe to see review text. | By Jeb Dunnuck
JebDunnuck.com, Issue #12 (6/23/2012)
(Syncline Syrah McKinley Springs Vineyard) Login and sign up and see review text. | By Sean Sullivan
Washington Wine Report (6/27/2012)
(Syncline Wine Cellars Syrah McKinley Springs Vineyard Horse Heaven Hills) Locked up tightly right now, this is a moderately aromatic wine with pure dark fruit, light floral notes, and a light peppery top note. The fruit flavors here are incredibly pure with tart, vibrant acidity. Among the more exciting wines I have had this year and a wine that will lay down beautifully in the cellar for years to come. 100% Syrah. Fermented in concrete (80%) and open top fermenters. Aged 16 months in neutral French oak. 500 cases produced. **** 1/2 points |
NOTE: Scores and reviews are the property of Vinous and JebDunnuck.com and Washington Wine Report. (manage subscription channels) |
| Syncline Producer website2010 Syncline Syrah McKinley Springs Vineyard Winemaker Notes
Full Pull:
From Block 11 at McKinley Springs Vineyard, fondly known as the Espresso Block for the lovely espresso/coffee/mocha character it imparts to its Syrahs. Here James includes 25% whole clusters (stems and all) and ferments mostly in concrete (Syncline is one of the few wineries in Washington to have concrete vessels on hand).It’s a gorgeous expression of this fine Horse Heaven Hills site.
Wine Enthusiast (Paul Gregutt): “($30); This pure, supple, fruit-laden Syrah is loaded with wild blackberry fruit, and detailed veins of licorice, coffee, and iron filings. The wine’s excellent length and polished tannins showcase exceptional handling of superb fruit. Editor’s Choice. 93pts.”Syrah Varietal article (Wikipedia) | (Wines Northwest)
Note that some producers in the Northern Rhone distinguish between simply Syrah and "Serine", the latter described as ‘an ancient clone of Syrah, the berries of which are more oval-shaped and less deeply pigmented than Syrah’ by producer Tardieu-Laurent. USAAmerican wine has been produced since the 1500s, with the first widespread production beginning in New Mexico in 1628. Today, wine production is undertaken in all fifty states, with California producing 84% of all U.S. wine. The continent of North America is home to several native species of grape, including Vitis labrusca, Vitis riparia, Vitis rotundifolia, and Vitis vulpina, but the wine-making industry is based almost entirely on the cultivation of the European Vitis vinifera, which was introduced by European settlers. With more than 1,100,000 acres (4,500 km2) under vine, the United States is the fourth-largest wine producing country in the world, after Italy, Spain, and France.Washington Washington Wine Commission | Credit to Washingtonwine.org for this article
Washington Wine
Washington State is a premium wine producing region located in the northwest corner of the United States. Although a relatively young wine industry, it is now the nation's second largest wine producer and is ranked among the world's top wine regions. Washington wines are found nationally in all 50 states and internationally in more than 40 countries.
Wineries
With 30,000+ acres planted, the state has ideal geography and conditions for growing premium vinifera wine grapes. Primarily grown on their own root stocks, the vines produce grapes of consistent quality, resulting in strong vintages year after year. While its focus is on Chardonnay, Riesling, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, the region also produces a wide range of other spectacular whites and reds.
Growers
Winemakers from all over the world have chosen to establish themselves in Washington, where they can create wines reflecting this region's unique characteristics. Their hand-crafted wines are receiving wide acclaim from critics regionally, nationally and internationally for their consistently high quality. Many of them have received scores of 90 and above from the major wine media. Overall this is a higher percentage than other leading wine regions.
Regions
As the state's fourth largest fruit crop, the Washington wine industry is an important contributor to the long-term preservation of Washington agriculture. The industry is committed to sustainable agricultural practices and conservation of water resources.
Washington State is a premium wine producing region located in the northwest corner of the United States. Although a relatively young wine industry, it is now the nation's second largest wine producer and is ranked among the world's top wine regions. Washington wines are found nationally in all 50 states and internationally in more than 40 countries.
Varieties
Washington produces more than 20 wine grape varieties - a ratio of 56 percent white to 44 percent red. As the industry matures and experiments, it finds many grape varieties that thrive throughout Washington's microclimates. There are more than 16,000 vineyard acres of red wine varieties statewide.
History & Vintages
Washington's wine future is limitless. As consumers discover the quality of Washington wines, demand continues to grow nationally and internationally. New acreage and wine varietals are being planted and new wineries are opening at a remarkable pace. Washington State is recognized as a premium viticultural region around the world.
State Facts
Washington's wine industry generates more than $3 billion to the state economy. It employs more than 14,000 people, directly and indirectly, with projections to add nearly 2,000 more jobs by 2006. In terms of tax revenues accrued to the state and federal government, wine grapes are among the highest tax generators of any agricultural crops. Furthermore, Washington wine tourism attracts nearly two million visitors annually contributing to the positive growth of local and regional economies.
Washington State - the perfect climate for wine = ideal growing conditions, quality wines, business innovation, lifestyle, and social responsibility. All are key elements of this world-class wine industry.
Vintages
"2008 and even more so 2010 and 2011 were cool, even cold vintages (think: 2002 in the Barossa) without the extreme ripeness, extract and higher alcohol that had become the norm in the state’s post 1995 world. 2008 was manageable but the duo of 2010/2011 nearly caused a “great depression” in Washington State." - Jon RimmermanColumbia Valley Columbia Cascade Winery Association
The Columbia Valley AVA lies mostly in Washington state, with a small section in Oregon. The Cascade Range forms its western boundary with the Palouse regions bordering the area to the east. To the north, the Okanogan National Forest forms a border with the AVA and Canada. It encompasses the valleys formed by the Columbia River and its tributaries, including the Walla Walla River, the Snake River, and the Yakima River. The Columbia valley stretches between the 46th parallel and 47th parallel which puts it in line with the well known French wine growing regions of Bordeaux and Burgundy. The northern latitude gives the areas two more hours of additional daylight during the summer growing season than wine regions of California receive. The volcanic and sandy loam soil of the valley offers good drainage and is poor in nutrients, ideal in forcing the vine to concentrate its resources into the grape clusters.Horse Heaven Hills About AVA (Wikipedia) |
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