Beyond the Bottle : Syncline Wine Cellars Archives

July 29, 2010

Outstanding in the Field at Oxbow Farm

On Friday, July 16, Kari and I attended an Outstanding in the Field dinner at Oxbow Farm, which is located about twenty miles east of downtown Seattle in the town of Carnation. This event was met with much anticipation for it was not only our first OITF, but also an occasion to celebrate our wedding anniversary. At first glance, the $180 per plate price might seem an extravagance, but considering the outdoor setting at Oxbow Farm, the five course meal prepared by chef Matt Dillon and his team from The Corson Building, the four different wines poured by James...

Posted by Thad W. at 10:13 PM | Permalink

July 01, 2009

Syncline 2007 Subduction White

The Syncline 2007 Subduction White (14.1%) is a blend of 69% viognier and 31% chardonnay. In the glass, this wine was a beautiful golden yellow color, delivering some fruit to the nose, although it was mostly notes of over ripe melon and pineapple. The Subduction White had an overly viscous, cloying mouthfeel, almost to the point of being syrupy. The over ripe tropical fruit notes predominated along with a creaminess that was off putting. It finished with a funk that comes when viognier is not at its best. We paired the Syncline with roasted chicken thighs and onions on...

Posted by Thad W. at 10:38 PM | Permalink

June 06, 2009

Syncline 2007 Pinot Noir Columbia Gorge

The Syncline 2007 Pinot Noir Celilo Vineyard (13.8%) is a clear standout amongst the few producers who craft pinot noir from Washington grown fruit. I've sampled a variety of Washington pinot noirs these last few years and have found none that have met the quality bar, at least according to my subjective palate. However, this Columbia Gorge wine offers an intriguing taste profile due to its old vine fruit, sourced from the Celilo Vineyard, which was planted in 1972. The Syncline is a very drinkable wine. Even still, it might disappoint the diehard Oregon pinot noir drinker, as it...

Posted by Thad W. at 02:01 PM | Permalink

April 26, 2009

Syncline 2008 Rosé Columbia Valley

Syncline rosé is summertime in a glass. It symbolizes all that this season brings us here in Seattle. Warm, sometimes even hot, temperatures, sunny skies, backyard grilling, dining al fresco, and glasses of chilled rosé to enjoy all summer long. My wife and I have a preference for French rosé, with those being lightest in color usually our most favorite. Too often local producers create an over-extracted rosé, resulting in a drink that is more liked spiked Kool-Aid than wine. The Syncline 2008 Rosé Columbia Valley (13.8%) is a clear light salmon color in the glass offering dusty perfume...

Posted by Thad W. at 01:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

December 29, 2008

Syncline 2007 Subduction Red

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) A few weeks back, I grilled up some beef tenderloin steaks while Kari prepared a couple of twice-baked potatoes and a fresh zucchini gratin in the oven. The tenderloin was absolutely amazing, seasoned with course salt and fresh ground pepper, then grilled to medium rare perfection. To go with our dinner, I selected a bottle of Syncline 2007 Subduction Red (14.1%), which I purchased at retail for $18. Last Fall, I covered the 2006 vintage of this same wine, finding it a bit hot and astringent on the finish. Even still, I was so...

Posted by Thad W. at 04:53 PM | Permalink

July 15, 2008

Syncline 2006 Celilo Vineyard Pinot Noir

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) To their credit, Syncline describes their 2006 Celilo Vineyard Pinot Noir (13.8%) accurately on the back label, with the emphasis on "flavors of pie cherry". This wine does taste like one of those Dolly Madison cherry fruit pies. This is not my style in pinot noir, but I am excited to see a Washington producer taking a stab at this varietal with Columbia Gorge fruit. "Situated on a bluff overlooking the Columbia River Gorge, Celilo Vineyard's deep volcanic soils are the origin of this provocative Pinot Noir. Intense perfume of black cherry and...

Posted by Thad W. at 08:39 PM | Permalink

May 28, 2008

Syncline 2007 Rose Columbia Valley

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) Syncline describes their rosé as a "wine for warming up the grill, watching the sunset, or packing a picnic". Last night, we not only warmed up the grill, but cooked a delicious wild king salmon on it, which we enjoyed eating outside while a bright spring sun set slowly on the horizon. This dinner was extraordinary for several reasons. It's been a rare occasion when the weather has been warm and sunny enough to enjoy eating dinner al fresco. And with wild king salmon at $30 a pound, it has to be a special...

Posted by Thad W. at 08:25 PM | Permalink

October 26, 2007

WIDWD: Syncline 2006 Subduction Red Columbia Valley

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) This week in Seattle has been interesting weather wise. We went from summer-like temps on Tuesday to cold, rainy fall weather on Wednesday, and then back to sun, but this time cold temps on Thursday. With the break in the weather last night, we fired up the grill and cooked a flank steak that had been marinating the last 2 days in anticipation of good weather. Kari marinates the steak in a combination of soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, chile oil, brown sugar, and fresh shaved ginger. The more it marinates, the...

Posted by Thad W. at 01:35 PM | Permalink

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July 29, 2010

Outstanding in the Field at Oxbow Farm

July 01, 2009

Syncline 2007 Subduction White

June 06, 2009

Syncline 2007 Pinot Noir Columbia Gorge

April 26, 2009

Syncline 2008 Rosé Columbia Valley

December 29, 2008

Syncline 2007 Subduction Red

July 15, 2008

Syncline 2006 Celilo Vineyard Pinot Noir

May 28, 2008

Syncline 2007 Rose Columbia Valley

October 26, 2007

WIDWD: Syncline 2006 Subduction Red Columbia Valley

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