Some wines from Sineann and a couple others with friends

We were invited over to friends for a cook out on Sunday. Not wine geeks, but they do like a nice bottle or two. I have a lot of Sineann in the cellar as the owner/winemaker and I were friends long before our wine days (back at Purdue in the 1970's). It was a good chance to open some. They also opened some wine too. While they can't afford to spend a lot on wine, they do take pride in finding good value wines and this day was no exception.

• 2014 Sineann Riesling 91 Points

  USA, Oregon, Columbia Valley

  Screw capped. Refreshing on a hot day. The nose has some tropical fruit with some minerality. Nice rich texture. On the palate, this is delicious. Slightly sweet. Depth. Minrals and tropical fruit. Long finish. Seems like on of the best vintages in the last few years.

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• 2013 Ruffino Pinot Grigio Lumina Venezia Giulia IGT 85 Points

  Italy, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Venezia Giulia IGT

  Refreshing. Simple. Easy to drink. A bit of citrus fruits. Served chilled it goes down easily an a hot humid Sunday afternoon. At $12, reasonably priced.

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• 2014 Sineann Grüner Veltliner

  USA, Oregon/Washington, Columbia Gorge

  Screw caped. Gold/copper in color. This is the third or fourth vintage of this and they continue to shine. The nose has minerals with some limes. Refreshing. Nice acidity. Very food friendly. Good fruit on the palate too. The bottle was drained quickly. Dry.

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• 2013 Farnese Sangiovese Fantini Terre di Chieti IGT 86 Points

  Italy, Abruzzi, Terre di Chieti IGT

  This is decent and a very nice value for a wine that sells for around $10. Much warmer and riper than Tuscany but good cherry fruit. Enough acidity to carry the food. A pleasant wine with no faults. Happy to drink a couple glasses.

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• 2006 Sineann Pinot Noir Resonance Vineyard 93 Points

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley

  I have had a few of these and this one is finally coming around. Still on the youthful side but nearing maturity. Young, these seem like fruit bombs lacking some nuance. But they do develop. Plenty of cherry fruit left here, but its not as exuberant. Instead, there are nuances of fresh and dried cherries, with spice and layers of complexity. Great texture. Worked really well with stuffed eggplant off the grill. Long finish. Another example of how if you don't like Sineann's up front style, just wait because they do evolve and they do hold up.

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• 2006 Sineann Cabernet Sauvignon Cold Creek Vineyard 90 Points

  USA, Washington, Columbia Valley

  This is still drinking well but I doubt it gets any better than this. The nose ha cassis, chocolate and still some fresh cut lumber. On the palate, slight tannins. Lots of cassis, some candied fruit and vanilla/oak. Some will like it and some not - for the same reason. The oak is prevalent and while it does diminish with air, I doubt it ever fully resolves itself before the fruit fades. Still, there is a lot to like as well about this wine. Glass cork.

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I absolutely enjoy times like these. It's not at all about wine. No point in opening an aged Bordeaux or rare cult wine. No interest in really paying that much attention to the wine. Conversation on life, kids, music, raising chickens in the burbs, and this time comic books where the wine is just a lubricant. Awesome times.