Saturday, February 18th
This Saturday we’ll be featuring three Washington wineries that kick out some good juice at a great price. They also have more in common that just good wine. Grape growers first, the Andrews family who own McKinley Springs grow over 20 varietals on their 2000 acre estate vineyard in the southern part of Washington’s Horse Heaven Hills. They sell their fruit to twenty five wineries, including Cor and Syncline. In 2002 they started making wine from their own fruit with the help of James Mantone of Syncline. Luke Bradford started Cor Cellars in 2006 after working for other wineries in both Italy and the Northwest, one of which was Syncline. Syncline, run by James and Poppy Mantone, specializes in Rhône varietals, some of which come from McKinley Springs. Come and see if you can taste all the connections.
2008 McKinley Springs Confluence White $10
56% Chenin Blanc, 44% Viognier
The Confluence is fermented and aged sur lie in stainless steel tanks, with a small portion of the Chenin Blanc aged in new oak to give it structure and a richer mouthfeel. The wine has aromas of ripe apricot, tangerine and floral notes. Its lemon lime citrus, orange zest and juicy ripe pineapple flavors lead to a long, smooth finish with the perfect touch of acidity.
2010 Cor Cellars, Riesling $16
The Riesling comes from Underwood Mountain Vineyards in the Columbia Gorge. Off dry, the wine bursts with lemon, peach and wildflower honey tea and has bright acidity, supple viscosity and a lingering, lip smacking minerality.
2007 McKinley Springs Syrah $15
The Syrah from McKinley Springs is co-fermented with 3.5% Viognier, a common practice in France’s Rhône Valley that adds bright fruit flavors. The wine is aged 17 months in 20% new oak (75% French and 25% American). Blackberry, licorice and black cherry aromas and tangy cranberry sauce, dusty earth, lavender flavors, and an expansive, lush texture.
2008 Cor Cellars Momentum $15
30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Petit Verdot, 21% Merlot, 21% Malbec
McKinley Springs & Alder Ridge Vineyards Horse Heaven Hills
Starting with of Cabernet Sauvignon, which is floral, regal and extensive, Merlot for silky texture, Petit Verdot for spice and then finally Malbec for its earthy and expressive personality, the Momentum is Cor’s dark and Verdot heavy Bordeaux style blend. The wine has notes of blackberry, black cherry, plum and cassis along with hints of dark chocolate, spice and violets.
2010 Syncline, Carignan/Grenache $25
64% Carignan, 36% Grenache from McKinley Springs Vineyard
Syncline describes the wine as “Wild and untamed, this wine contains substance and personality; certainly not prim and proper, but rarely are the best of times. Avant-garde meets tradition, in pioneering vineyards, two ancient varietals find a new home in the eastern Washington desert. Meaty, spicy aromas and bramble fruit flavors cavort with a refined texture and persistent finish.” The wine is as purple as the prose.