Just 100 cases (four barrels) made it into the reserve, sourced from the Pommard vineyard blocks. A slight step beyond the outstanding “regular” Schindler, this is chewier, blockier, all-around bigger. Same plummy, dried cherry fruit flavors, with compelling details of forest floor and tobacco. Gets more delicious through the finish, which seems to hang in the throat for a long while.——P.G.(8/1/2011)—— 93

Biodynamically farmed, this young vineyard seems to improve with each new vintage. More and more you find an expression of soil details—delicate streaks of dried leaf, moist loam, a flavor of clay. The fruit is refined and perfectly ripe, without being fleshy. An elegant style, cellar-worthy but delicious already.——P.G.(8/1/2011)—— 92

The 2008 Pinot Noir Schindler Vineyard exhibits a spicy, floral and black fruited aromatic array leading to a tight, moderately tannic offering that will require several years of additional bottle age to reveal its full potential. It appears to possess the requisite balance but patience will be required. Owner/winemaker Peter Rosback presides at Sineann. His first vintage was 1995 and current production stands at 13,000 cases of vineyard designated wines from a range of AVAs. The current 2008 Pinot Noir releases are a paradox. The regular cuvees out-performed the two Reserve wines which were tannic and out-of-balance. The 2008 Pinot Noir Schindler Reserve and 2008 Pinot Noir Resonance Vineyard Reserve were both unusually tannic and out- of balance and could not be recommended.Tel. (503) 341-2698; www.sineann.com

A barrel selection of Schindler fruit, this reserve notches up the color, density and alcohol without sacrificing the basic character and finesse of the vineyard. Here are the tight layers of bacon fat, stone, pepper and leaf, along with tart, lightly herbal red fruits. The core fruit is concentrated, fresh and primary, and promises excellent aging potential.——P.G.(12/15/2009)—— 92