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Assemblage:
- 40% Cabernet Sauvignon
- 40% Syrah
- 20% Cabernet Franc (Clone 214)
- All grapes were hand-picked from Certified Sustainable vines.
Elévage: 14 months in once-used and neutral French oak
Vintage Notes: 2020 was a relatively warm year for Washington State with a significantly smaller crop than average. A freeze in the autumn of 2019 and some severe weather events in May 2020 impacted buds and fruit set which led to fewer and smaller clusters and berries. What we did not have in quantity certainly gave way to quality. Warm temperatures and sunshine in September and October allowed the berries to slowly develop sugars and flavors while maintaining acidity. Overall, a spectacular vintage showcasing aromatics and concentrated fruit.
Winemaker Notes: This blend greets the eye with a deep purple color with a slight brick red hue. On the nose you immediately sense cranberry, blueberry and a bright floral components. Weaving in and out are hints of vanilla, black pepper and bay leaf; notes that give this wine some pop in the glass. The palate has nice volume and roundness. This wine shows good balance throughout with an almost juicy acidity. It is smooth and approachable right now but could certainly be aged as well.
Recommended Food Pairings:
- Accompanies all types of beef dishes: roasted, grilled, braised and stewed
- Great with BBQ chicken or pork. Try with a sticky rack of ribs!
- Rich, tomato-based pizza and pasta dishes, such as lasagne
- Myriad of hard or soft cheese; including mac-n-cheese
Ratings:
Wine Panel - 2020 Dineen Vineyards "Vintners Blend" - 92 Points
While a classic Bordeaux style blend would feature Cabernet & Cab Franc, the unlikely addition of Syrah gives this wine a nice balance and an unexpected richness. As all wines are judged blind, we knew it was a non-traditional blend but that was it. The wine has the structure of a left bank Bordeaux, but the pleasant, creamy notes of a New World, boutique wine. Notes of blackberry and violets with fine but very present tannins for a long, pleasant finish. Aged 14 months in neutral oak for maturity without a cloak of oak. Only 120 cases produced. 92 Points in the $15-$25 Category – The Wine Panel
Owen Bargreen - 2020 Dineen Vineyards ‘Vintner’s Blend’ Red Wine- 90
A blend of equal parts Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon with the reminder Cabernet Franc, this delivers a soft mouthfeel with layers of cocoa powder, anise and black currants on the palate. Enjoy now and over the next five to seven years. Drink 2022-2027
Paul Gregutt - Dineen 2020 Vintner's Blend
Dineen is a family-owned and operated Zillah winery that offers a range of estate-grown wines. Among a solid lineup of red varietals, this Syrah/Cab Franc/Cab Sauv blend offers a low-cost look at the portfolio’s strengths. It’s a style more often reserved for expensive Washington reds – ripe, dark fruit and tannin flavors spiced up with the Syrah component. Though still young, it’s already in a good drinking condition. It finishes with some tannic astringency, suggesting a burger or tri-tip might be an optimal match.