The 2008 Rose is a mouth-watering blend of 44% Cinsault, 30% Grenache, 17% Mourvedre, and 9% Counoise made entirely from saignee juice. It delivers a spicy bouquet of strawberry and rhubarb leading to a wine which is dry on the palate, exceptionally fruity, and rich. It is a splendid match with salmon. James and Poppie Mantone’s Syncline Wine Cellars is on the eastern edge of the beautiful Columbia Gorge, an area better known for outdoor sports (fishing, boating, wind surfing) than wine production. Tel. (509) 365-4361; www.synclinewine.com

The blend is 44% Cinsault 30% Grenache, 17% Mourvedre and 9% Counoise; done as saignee, in stainless steel with no malolactic fermentation. Fresh and pretty, with tangy strawberry and rhubarb fruit, great acidity, zest, and spice.——P.G.(9/1/2009)—— 89