Reininger Winery started in the Walla Walla in 1997, crafting elegant and classically structured red wines from hand-harvested, select grapes. Sixteen years later, winemaker Chuck Reiniger will be here this Saturday pouring his wines and talking about their creation. He’ll be pouring some Helix wines which source fruit from the larger Columbia Valley, allowing for better price and availability, and the core Reinigner wines from Walla Walla which have a more limited production. Come meet him and try his great wines.
2011 Helix Chardonnay $15
From Stillwater Creek vineyard this unoaked Chardonnay has wonderful acid and a crisp, beautiful sparkle thanks to the stainless steel fermentation. It features Granny Smith apple sweet-tartness and a mellow draw on the finish with fresh pineapple and subtle orange flower.
2007 Helix Sangiovese $16
Also from Stillwater, this Sangiovese was aged in older neutral barrels giving it the benefits of barrel aging without the oaky flavors. Lively acidity is a hallmark of Sangiovese and this wine has it. Fruit expressions of concentrated sour cherry, plum and pomegranate become accentuated as the wine opens up. The palate finishes with lingering cherry notes and a hug from a medium tannin structure.
2009 Reininger Syrah $31
From Pepper Bridge & Seven Hills Vineyards, the Syrah is aged in older French barrels. The wine has aromas of soy sauce, sesame oil, plum sauce, blueberry pie and lavender! The palate is silky smooth, medium bodied, with flavors of blueberry, black pepper, cumin, orange peel.
2010 Reininger Cabernet Sauvignon Walla Walla $31
92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot
From Pepper Bridge & Seven Hills Vineyards the Cab is aged in 84% French & 16% Russian barrels, 52% of which are new. 2010 was a cooler vintage in the Walla Walla Valley providing elegant wines. There are beautiful aromas of black cherry, loam soils and cedar. A medium to full bodied palate accompanies playful acidity and gentle tannins that possess a very soft grip of bright dark cherry, followed with blackberry, sage, a hint of pencil and chocolate mousse.
2009 Reininger Carmenere Seven Hills Vineyard $33
Aged in French Oak, 76% of which is new, the Carmenere from Seven Hills is gaining elegance with every passing vintage. The nose presents a wonderful white pepper that transforms to peppercorn, or sometimes chili pepper, on the palate that beautifully contrasts with its very soft tannins. Almond aromatics evolve to an elegant flavor of candy cherry, pomegranate and plum swirled in a hint of mocha and wood spice.
