Robert Sinskey 2013 Pinot Blanc

Robert Sinskey is my kind of winemaker — a native Californian who has his BA in Fine Arts from Parsons School of Design in New York City. He’s not science-y, or mathematical, or calculating; he doesn’t have a degree or certificate in horticulture, enology or even biology. In fact he’s never received a “traditional” winemaking “degree” of any kind. He’s an artist who brings his artistic abilities to his craft as a vintner.

Sinskey’s goal is to create “pure wines of character that pair well with cuisine,” and believes that good wines are the wines that “sneak up on you, seduce you, and evolve in the glass and in the bottle.” I told you, he’s my kind of winemaker.

About the Wine: The Robert Sinskey 2013 Pinot Blanc is made from 100% Pinot Blanc grapes from three Robert Sinskey Estate Vineyards: Three Amigos Vineyard, OSR Vineyard, and Scintilla Sonoma Vineyard — all found in the Los Carneros region of Napa Valley.

Oh and you should also note:

This Pinot Blanc only comes in half-bottles and magnums, because you should either start with it or party with it! – Robert Sinskey

13.6% ABV

Flavor Profile: Open the bottle and the only word I have to describe that aroma is “funky.” In the glass, the Robert Sinskey Pinot Blanc has a greenish-tint to it’s light yellow color and you can see just the tiniest flecks of bubbles throughout the glass. Initial aromas explain a bit of that funk — it’s a runny honey, meets raw honeycomb, meets fresh pollen, all surrounding a yellow-apple tree whose fruits are being warmed by the sun.

On the palate, the wine is off-dry with a solid line of acidity that emits more of a green apple flavor combined with citrus zest lingering in the background. The forefront is all about white flowers, pollen, nectar, with snippets of green grass scattered about. The effervescence breaks that all up, giving the wine it’s dry-ish texture — in other words, it’s neither fruit forward nor sweet. The finish is almost spice-filled with a dry heat of a tingle left running down the throat.

Food Pairing: This is a wine that would love a good cheese board with interesting, funky, textural cheeses. Alas, I do not have access to that kind of produce. I enjoyed the Robert Sinskey 2013 Pinot Blanc with a fresh ciabatta bread with melted provolone and a grape tomato and spinach salad. In a pinch, this pairing is perfect. But if I have the opportunity to drink this wine again, I will, for sure, be a bit more adventurous.

Sinskey’s food pairing recommendation: Sweet pea and smoke ham skillet risotto.

More Info: I bought the Robert Sinskey 2013 Pinot Blanc at Shed Healdsburg. Price: $21 for a half-bottle. This was my first experience with Robert Sinskey and I’m excited to experience more. For more information about Robert Sinskey and to purchase wines directly, please visit the Robert Sinskey website.

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