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Reininger Winery Tasting
Storyteller Wine Company, Portland, OR
Tasted January 29, 2010 by RPerro with 436 views
Introduction
Very nice free tasting of Walla Walla's Reininger Winery, hosted by Michael at Storyteller Wine Company in the John's Landing neighborhood of Portland. Wines poured by Reininger National Sales Manager, Justin Vajgert.
Flight 1 (8 notes)
Red
2005 Reininger Sangiovese Helix
86 points
Earthy cherry flavors, with just a bit of spices on the finish. Very smooth and drinkable, would be great with food. On its own, rather unexciting.
Red
2006 Reininger Cabernet Sauvignon Helix
88 points
Very fruit-forward, but with a nice backbone of tannin and acidity. Raspberry and cassis flavors, with some nice peppery earth. Drinking quite well.
Red
2006 Reininger Cabernet Sauvignon
91 points
I loved this wine. Huge peppery fruit, lots of blackberry and cassis. Finish is pure pepper-covered chocolate, and lasts for 30+ seconds. This is some nice Cab!
Red
2005 Reininger Syrah Ash Hollow Vineyard
93 points
Dark as night, thick, mouthcoating, and amazingly spicy! BIG heavy blackberry fruit, with gobs of black pepper. This wine reminded me of the Bunnell Syrahs I love so much. Just super-concentrated, lots of extract, and that amazing black pepper, with dark chocolate finish. Must resist buying a case...
Red
2007 Reininger Cabernet Sauvignon Helix
89 points
Replacement wine for the Carmenere that was sold out. I think this was just released, or has not been released just yet...quite a bit more forward than the 2006, with a bit more tannin showing at this time. Solid wine at a great price: $20. A lot more cassis and black pepper than the 2006 also. Even some tobacco flavors rolling around the tongue. Tasty.
Red - Fortified
2007 Reininger Syrah Port
90 points
According to Reininger rep, this wine isn't released for distribution, and only sold at the winery. I typically don't like ports, but this one made me stand up and take notice. Mix that peppery blackberry-tasting Walla Walla Syrah with brandy, and you have this. An amazing port, very sweet, but not over the top. Not too much of the brandy flavor I dislike too. Just about perfect for me.