Syncline Wine Cellars, Horse Heaven Hills (Washington) Mourvèdre 2018

 When visiting the Columbia Gorge last year, I couldn’t help but notice how often Syncline’s red wines appeared on restaurant wine lists.  Now I can understand why, after tasting this youthful Mourvedre — it is so food friendly.  Horse Heaven Hills is a surprisingly large (17,000 acre) AVA that sits above the Columbia River.  Most of the harvest goes to wineries outside the region such as Ste. Michelle and Columbia Crest.  Syncline’s small batch (14 barrels) of Mourvèdre was grown on the hillside slopes of Coyote Canyon Vineyard.  It wins you over easily with its aromas of dark plum, forest floor and dried mushroom.  Medium- to full-bodied, it is rich and round on the palate, and its flavors offer up dark fruit (blackberry, plum) with layers of black pepper and a gamey note.  A solid, slightly tannic structure takes you to a strong, lengthy finish.  100% Mourvèdre.  Drink now or hold.