A couple of 2009 Whites from Sineann

A large portion of my cellar contains Sineann wines form Oregon/Washington. The owner/winemaker, Peter Rosback and I have been friends since the late 70's when we attended Purdue together. I am therefore, really glad that I like his wines so much. They are on the more full throttle style of wines FOR OREGON which for me puts them in a nice place between new and old world. While Sineann is probably much better known for their reds, I always find their whites to be some of the best the Northwest has to offer. It doesn't hurt that they also provide a lot of value at under $20. With some very hot days here in April and temps breaking heat records daily, I got an early start on my white wine drinking.

• 2009 Sineann Pinot Gris 90 Points

  USA, Oregon

  Pale silvery gold in color, clear and bright. This took some air to open and was better on Day 2. Considering it has a glass cork, I will open my other bottles in advancce or decant despite being a simple PG. The nose is mostly about minerals and earthiness. A bit of grapefruit and more fruit emerged on Day 2. Well balanced. Dry. Went well with food. Very refreshing with a long finish. At $18 an excellent QPR.

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• 2009 Sineann Gewürztraminer Resonance Vineyard 88 Points

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley

  For the most part, I have always told Peter that I found his Gewurtz to lack a certain typicity. We have gone round about this, and with last years model (for whatever reason), I thought they had changed in style for the better. The 2009's are more consistent with previous versions. Since then, however, I have had other Washington/Oregon Gewurz including Sleight of Hands that are in this mold. I will "refine" my argument to say that I prefer the Alsatian style over the Northwest. All that said, this is enjoyable and well made. So what's the difference, at least for my palate?
  
  Light golden in color. The nose lacks the lychees I like, but instead shows lots of minerals (I think of a handful of coins, and also grapefruit rind. Full bodied and slightly oily. On the palate, this is nice with a bitter streak common to Grewurtz. The bitterness is not bad, but I prefer when it co-mingles with a bit of lychee. Dry. Nice finish. No change on Day 2. Glass cork.
  
  If it seems I am being overly harsh on this wine for 88 points, perhaps I am just gearing up for the next late night Drunken discussion with Pete Rosback. I now may have to concede it does it indeed show terroir. The wine is very good and worked better with food.

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