Tendril

Today we share one of the best out of Oregon. Winemaker Tony Rynders has worked a range of head winemaker positions over the years, formerly at Domaine Serene and Hogue. He has an esteemed master’s degree in Enology and Viticulture from UC Davis, and obtained more 90+ point scores from the Wine Spectator magazine than any other winemaker during this period of time.

Today Tony makes a range of wines for other producers such as Open Claim. He as a brilliant range of wines and is even making some excellent bubbles. The NV Child’s Play ’Blanc de Blancs’ Sparkling Wine (OB, 91) is fresh and vibrant with a smooth mousse. I love the 2019 Tendril ‘Tightrope’ Pinot Noir (OB, 95) which is a late release wine that is drinking beautifully right now at the five year mark. Learn more about these beautiful wines at http://www.tendrilwines.com Here are the gorgeous new wines by Tony Rynders and Tendril.

NV Childs Play ‘Blanc de Blancs’ Sparkling Wine- The really good NV Childs Play ‘Blanc de Blancs’ Sparkling Wine is creamy and rich on the mouth with bright pear and starfruit flavors that mingle with suggestions of guava and stony minerals. This is very well-made, showing good richness and finesse. Drink 2024-2030- 91

2022 Child’s Play Chardonnay- The 2022 Child’s Play Chardonnay comes from sites throughout the Willamette Valley. This is rich and viscous wine that is drinking beautifully right now. Melon and Meyer lemon cream combine with suggestions of poached pear. Enjoy now and over the next six plus years to come. Drink 2024-2030- 91

2019 Tendril ‘Enchanter’ Chardonnay- The 2019 ‘Enchanter’ Chardonnay spent more than fifteen months in mostly neutral oak barrels before bottling. This comes off soft and seamless through the mid-palate. Oyster shell and salty minerals combine with suggestions of lemon rind, baking spice laced pie crust and rich apricots on the palate. Showing good length, enjoy this beautiful wine now and over the next ten years to come. Drink 2024-2034- 93

2019 Tendril ‘XL’ Chardonnay- The ‘XL’ saw extended barrel age (30 months) in neutral barrels before bottling. This is loaded with richness and texture, giving an outstanding sense of weight but also underlying finesse. Macadamia nut, white peach, star jasmine water and suggestions of toasty oak all combine on the palate. Wait for the near minute-long finish in this very Montrachet v Oregon Chardonnay. A total masterclass, enjoy now and over the next ten to fifteen years. Drink 2024-2036- 96

2021 Tendril ‘Pretender’ White Pinot Noir- Truly one of the outstanding white Pinot Noirs in the world, the 2021 ‘Pretender’  was entirely sourced from Chehalem Mountain Pinot Noir grapes. Stored in natural oak for 16 months before bottling, this delivers orange blossom and hazelnut on the nose alongside shades of red raspberry and pretty guava notes on the nose. The palate is soft and generous with serious texture and weight. The flavor range is scintillating here, from nutty and earthy notes to bright red fruits, and copious saline drenched melon flavors. A stunner from this warm vintage, this is already nicely evolved stuff that has a long life ahead of it in the cellar. Just don’t serve too cold! Drink 2024-2040- 96

2022 Child’s Play Pinot Noir- The really delicious and juicy 2022 Child’s Play Pinot Noir comes from sites throughout the Willamette Valley. Guava, red cherry candy and dusty soils combine with pomegranate seed notes in this very juicy Pinot Noir. Enjoy now and over the next eight years to come. Drink 2024-2032- 91

2019 Tendril ‘Tightrope’ Pinot Noir- A barrel selection wine from this slightly cooler vintage the 2019 ‘Tightrope’ is a gorgeous rendition of this wine by winemaker Tony Rynders. This saw extended bottle age and opens with red rose petals, salty soils, tobacco leaf and shades of anise. The palate is soft and refined with serious texture and good underlying verve. Shades of pine needles, salty red fruits and black truffle shavings all combine on the palate. Deep and concentrated considering the coolness of the vintage, enjoy this beautiful wine now and over the next ten plus years to come. Drink 2024-2034- 95

2019 Tendril ‘Extrovert’ Pinot Noir- The awesome ‘Extrovert’ is a 100% whole cluster fermented wine that offers the boldest expression of Pinot Noir. This is beautifully structured stuff that has a long life in the cellar to go. Rich black fruits parade with salty and stony soils, menthol and shades of exotic spices on the palate, with cedar notes. Full-bodied and delicious, enjoy now and over the next ten plus years to come. Drink 2024-2034- 94

2021 Child’s Play Malbec- The 2021 Malbec offers violets, tar and rich dark chocolate shavings on the nose with shades of pencil lead. The palate is full-bodied, dense and delicious with good structure. A killer wine made at a great price, enjoy now and over the next ten years to come. Drink 2024-2034- 92

2018 Tendril ‘Octave Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Mainly Cabernet Sauvignon (78%) with the remainder Cabernet Franc, this comes for the high elevation Octave Vineyard in the Walla Walla Valley. This has great a combination of weight and finesse with dense dark fruits, chocolate, green herbs and suggestions of chocolate pie on the palate. Full-bodied and full of verve, watch this outstanding Cabernet Sauvignon evolve over the next ten to fifteen years. Drink 2024-2034- 94

2019 Tendril ‘Octave Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2019 Tendril ‘Octave Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon comes from this slightly cooler vintage in the Columbia Valley. Inky in the glass, this has 23% Cabernet Franc blended in. Red bell pepper and blackberry compote combine with anise, black currants and pastry crust accents on the palate. Medium to full-bodied with good verve this is an outstanding effort considering the challenges of the vintage. Drink 2024-2034- 94