Sharing one of the great producers of Oregon Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, Tendril is the brainchild of famed winemaker, Tony Rynders, who had a host of esteemed stops along his career before settling in Oregon. He has now made Oregon Pinot Noir for more than twenty years. A graduate of the esteemed master’s degree in Enology and Viticulture from UC Davis, Rynders served as former head winemaker for Domaine Serene Winery/Rockblock Cellars before starting Tendril. During his ten years as head head winemaker for Domaine Serene as head winemaker, Rynders obtained more 90+ point scores from the Wine Spectator magazine than any other winemaker during this period of time.
Tony has a tremendous palate and is a wonderfully down to earth guy who also makes great wines for other producers like Open Claim. His new wines are complete with a beginning, middle and end. Check out the gorgeous 2018 Tendril Pretender’ White Pinot Noir (OB, 95) which is amongst the finest wines of its kind. The nuance in this wine is just insanely good. I love the has an incredible mouthfeel and vibrant acidity, as this delicious wine is showing really good range right now. Even better is the 2017 Tendril ‘Tightrope’ Pinot Noir (OB, 94) which is rich and viscous, and is absolutely singing now at the five year mark. Learn more about these beautiful wines at http://www.tendrilwines.com Here are the seriously good new wines by Tony Rynders and Tendril.
2018 Tendril ‘Enchanter’ Chardonnay- The 2018 ‘Enchanter’ Chardonnay spent more than fifteen months in mostly neutral oak barrels before bottling. This comes off absolutely seamless on the mouth, with Meyer lemon zest dusted sourdough bread, cloves, peat moss and white rose water tones on the palate. Complex and delicious to consume now, this has both the weight and finesse to cellar well for another eight to ten years. Drink 2022-2030- 94
2018 Tendril ‘Pretender’ White Pinot Noir- One of the great white pinot noirs that you will taste, the 2018 ‘Pretender’ offers honeysuckle and white peach aromas with lighter red raspberry and flinty accents on the nose. The palate is soft and provides a seamless drinking experience, with a wonderful veil of salinity that runs through the core of the wine. With more air macadamia nut and forest floor accents shape the palate, showing serious weight and verve. Finishing very long, this is generous, intense wine that is best enjoyed at a warmer temperature. Drink 2022-2034- 95
2017 Tendril ‘Tightrope’ Pinot Noir- A barrel selection wine, the 2017 ‘Tightrope’ is a thrilling new Pinot Noir by Tony Rynders that seen considerable bottle age. Showing a deep core, this dazzles once on the nose with red rose petals and potpourri alongside ripe guava and teaberry accents. The palate is deep and concentrated with a silky texture and wonderful sense of weight without coming off as heavy. Already beautifully evolved, and starting to show some black truffle and forest floor tertiary elements, enjoy the incredible 2017 ‘Tightrope’ over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2022-2030- 95
2017 Tendril ‘Extrovert’ Pinot Noir- The really good 2017 ‘Extrovert’ received 100% whole cluster fermentation and is Tony Rynders’s boldest expression of Pinot Noir. Ripe black fruits collide with copious minerals and shades of tar, anise and baking spices on the palate. With good viscosity and finesse, and a soft mouthfeel, this is only starting to hit its stride and can easily go for another fifteen years. Drink 2022-2036- 94