WTN: Syncline Mourvedre 2005 Horse Heaven Hills - Washington

Attended a winemaker's dinner with Syncline this past weekend. A quality Columbia Gorge winemaker of rhone varieties. All his wines were great, but this 100% Mourvdere was my WOTN (a Late Harvest Viognier was a close 2nd). I agree with the winemaker's tasting notes below. Seemed old world, but with a bit more fruit - especially plum. Went great with a buffalo steak. Hard to find outside of Seattle to Portland to Walla Walla areas. Syncline's flagship wine is the Cuvee Elena (2004 was great, but probably not to be found anymore); a Southern Rhone blend-2005 out in the fall.

Great QPR at $22 too. Cork-free winery.

2005 Mourvedre Coyote Canyon Vineyards
Production: 200 cases

Tasting Notes
Planted on what was the shoreline of the great Missoula floods, this steep and stony hillside vineyard is layered with gravel and caliche and has unencumbered southern exposure. Aged in French oak barrels. Layers of dried plum, cassis, clove, coffee bean, black pepper, tar and savauge character are complimented by a bright finish.

I like their wines as well (I did a story on them recently http://www.thenewstribune.com/soundlife/food/story/31241.html), but I did not get to taste the Mourvedre. Thanks for the note.

Attended a winemaker's dinner with Syncline this past weekend. A quality Columbia Gorge winemaker of rhone varieties.

I am so jealous. After reading Bucko's article about Syncline back in March, I wanted to visit them. We drove I84 along the Columbia River shortly thereafter, and I tried calling to see if I could gain entry by tossing out Dr. B's name. Alas, no one was around to answer the phone.

I'm hoping to get down there later this summer. It's a really beautiful area.

BTW ... where was that dinner?

-- Clark

Mourvedre is a grape I just don't get to taste enough of (whether straight or in blends). Previous experience suggests I'd have a pretty good success rate.

I just received my club shipment of this wine. I'm nervous though because we had a sudden hot streak the day it was delivered and we had a delivery miscommunication, so it traveled from the UPS warehouse to my house two days in a row. Please keep your fingers crossed for me!

Syncline is one of my favorite WA wineries, so I decided to jump in for the quarterly shipments. Since we're going to be in the area, I'm debating stopping by there on Thursday (first day the new place is open to the public). I was trying not to turn this trip into a big winery visit (since I have recently blown about 3 years wine budget), but that's getting harder to do....

Syncline winemaker's dinner was at the unique old railroad Lyle Hotel in Lyle, Washington. Chef Chris did a great job with the pairings.