Winery - Helix by Reininger
* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Pomatia is an almost mythical creation—like one of those half man, half beast monsters from ancient times. The blend is not that unusual, but the results might be likened to a sculpture by Picasso—a piece of wood here, an old newspaper there, and a bicycle seat for a head. Not to disparage the wine—it’s flavorful and full-bodied, but a puzzler. Funkadelic meets Clapton? Cherries and earth, tannin and tea.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Smooth and supple, this Helix Syrah is consistent with past efforts. There’s more than a trace of herb and earth, plenty of acid and some tannins with more than a hint of compost and green tea. But for all that earthiness the wine has grip and concentration, with fruit that seems natural and honest. Don’t look for jam or sweet preserves; this is more to the gamy, herbal side of the grape, but beautifully balanced.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
This is a welcome return for this value Merlot after the 2004 vintage was skipped. The smooth and chocolaty flavors that consumers love are there, but they have been pulled back, letting more of the cherry fruit and subtle accents of forest floor, fungus and earth show through. It’s textural, complex and thoroughly enjoyable.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Sleek and elegant, it shows itself slowly. Scents of raw beef, wild berries and white pepper open it up, and the tart and precise fruit seems to drill down rather than across the palate. It’s not quite as big as the Helix Merlot, but more muscular and structured.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
A little hot and a bit thinner than the 2005, but showing the supple grace of Chuck Reininger’s wines. Fruit flavors are true and clean, but lacking some of the depth of past years.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
A beautiful evocation of Washington fruit, it has concentration, balance and structure, and the clean berry/cherry fruit is amplified by polished tannins, bright acids and light splashes of peppery spice. This is one of the finest pure Washington Merlots to be released in many years.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Yummy is the first word that comes to mind, followed by sounds of lip smacking. It’s a rich bundle of extracted cherry and raspberry fruit, driven deep with juicy acidity, and bound with ripe tannins. The penetration and vivid tartness are remarkable, and supremely satisfying.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
This vintage includes 5% Petit Verdot in the blend, giving it a dark edge. Tight and laced with scents of plums and rock, toast and cedar. Graceful and sturdy, this wine needs more breathing time and bottle age to show its best stuff.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Smooth and fruity, this forward and pleasing effort pushes berries and lightly candied red fruits to the front of the palate, adding some hot cinnamon spice to the middle. It’s vibrant and charming, but with more depth than most Merlots done in this style. A hint of green tea slips into the tannins.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
This captures the gamy, herbal, earthy complexity of Washington Syrah, but mutes it somewhat behind a wall of raspberry fruit. Not a bad combo by any means! This one carries some stemmy flavors into the finish. Just enough to put a hard edge on it.
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