Syncline Winery Cinsault 2021

Tasting notes

Cinsault is a refreshingly different grape from all the others we work with. It has intrigued us with its charming character; and as an important component of our blends, it adds freshness and intriguing aromatics. This wine is love at first sight with its brilliant light garnet color, pretty perfume and enticing fruit flavors. Aromas of wild alpine strawberries, rose petals and etherial notes of spring violets are backed by fresh, juicy flavors and a supple texture. This is an excellent afternoon picnic wine, and great to pair with salmon, wild mushrooms, and charcuterie.

Terroir

Cinsault originated in southern France where it is usually blended with Grenache and Carignan. Small plantings exist in the New World with very recent additions to Washington State. At McKinley Springs Vineyard, Cinsault and Carignan are late ripening and usually some of the last grapes we pick each harvest. It is planted at 1,100’ in elevation on Warden sandy silt loam soils with north south row orientation. The canopy is trained VSP with the west side left long to shade and protect the grapes from the hot afternoon sun. Perhaps it is the elevation, the meticulous farming, or the soils; this vineyard gives us some of the best balanced fruit we work with.

Vinification

All fruit was hand picked, and 100% de-stemmed into a French concrete cube tank. Fermentation was with native yeast, no fining, and managed with with manual punch downs, and pump-overs. Free Run juice was kept separate for elevage in neutral French puncheons. Bottled June 2022.

Winery Description

syn-cline (‘sin-klin): A trough of stratified rock in which the beds dip toward each other from either side.
Directly west of the vineyard and winery is a series of sheer, nearly 100 meter cliffs that rise up into the surrounding mountains straight out of the Columbia River. Locally known as the ‘Coyote Wall Syncline’, this dramatic geological feature gives the winery its name.  It is at this precise point that the rainy western region of the Columbia Gorge transitions into a semi-arid environment.
Syncline is a small family winery in the Columbia Gorge of Washington state.  Owners and vintners Poppie and James Mantone met during the harvest of 1997 while working crush together.  They fell madly in love, married and soon began plans for a winery of their own.  They relocated their home to the Columbia Gorge and produced their first vintage in 1999.  Their passion for Rhone wines and their vision of the potential of Rhone varieties in select areas of Washington State led them to bottling Syrah and Grenache, while also beginning to plant Mourvèdre, Cinsault, Counoise and Carignan.