A successful union of elements.
Tom O’Neil has been making wine for about 25 years in Washington. He interned with Chateau Ste. Michelle and was assistant winemaker at Milbrandt Vineyards. He opened his Richland, Washington winery, Thomas O'Neil Cellars, on April 15, 2011. I sampled the original bottling of 2009 Fusion in April, which quickly sold out. May 15th, Tom bottled a new blend of 2009 Fusion (Fusion 2.0).
Fusion 2.0 Tasting
The Thomas O’Neil Cellars 2009 Fusion was bright on opening, with dark, cherry-chocolate, concentrated fruit, candied, cola, root-beer; and something familiar from childhood which reminded me of a cone shaped candy that had three layers (I don’t remember what they were called), definitely a bright wine with medium tannins, medium body, and a cherry-cola and coffee finish. This wine is very tasty and easy to drink now, but it should continue to develop for several more years.
Second Day
I enjoyed this wine over two days at home. Day two, the Syrah components were more apparent - spicy violets, black pepper, tobacco, and leather, the wine seems more integrated, smoother, less sharp, which allows the tannins to make a better appearance on the finish- not over the top, but a long and tasty finish. On day two I paired the 2009 Fusion 2.0 with fried pork chops and potato pancakes, resting on a mixed green salad, I made a little sauce and lightly drizzled it over the greens, yum, yum. Can you sense the satisfied grin on my face? Sorry, no photo, I was too busy eating and drinking.
I suggest you buy a case of the 2009 Fusion and open a bottle every three months, for the next three years, to see how well this wine continues to develop; it will be a rewarding endeavor. I give this wine a "Big Like".
2009 Fusion 2.0 Bled: Syrah, Petite Sirah and Grenache, $30 at the winery.
Thomas O'Neil Cellars
2323 Henderson Lp. Richland, WA 99354
(509) 378-9783
This bottle of wine was gifted by the winery.
Related posts:
Thomas O'Neil Cellars Brand Spanking New,
Final Destination Thomas O'Neil Cellars
Cheers!
fu•sion (fyo͞oˈzhən)
noun
1. The act or procedure of liquefying or melting by the application of heat.
2. The liquid or melted state induced by heat.
3. a. The merging of different elements into a union: the fusion of copper and zinc to form brass; the difficult fusion of conflicting political factions.
b. A union resulting from fusing: A fusion of religion and politics emerged.
4. Physics A nuclear reaction in which nuclei combine to form more massive nuclei with the simultaneous release of energy.
5. Music that blends jazz elements and the heavy repetitive rhythms of rock. Also called jazz-fusion, jazz-rock.
6. A style of cooking that combines ingredients and techniques from very different cultures or countries.
Origin: Latin fūsiō, fūsiōn-, from fūsus, past participle of fundere, to melt; see gheu- in Indo-European roots.
Tom O’Neil has been making wine for about 25 years in Washington. He interned with Chateau Ste. Michelle and was assistant winemaker at Milbrandt Vineyards. He opened his Richland, Washington winery, Thomas O'Neil Cellars, on April 15, 2011. I sampled the original bottling of 2009 Fusion in April, which quickly sold out. May 15th, Tom bottled a new blend of 2009 Fusion (Fusion 2.0).
 |
| Thomas O'Neil Cellars 2009 Fusion 2.0. |
Fusion 2.0 Tasting
The Thomas O’Neil Cellars 2009 Fusion was bright on opening, with dark, cherry-chocolate, concentrated fruit, candied, cola, root-beer; and something familiar from childhood which reminded me of a cone shaped candy that had three layers (I don’t remember what they were called), definitely a bright wine with medium tannins, medium body, and a cherry-cola and coffee finish. This wine is very tasty and easy to drink now, but it should continue to develop for several more years.
Second Day
I enjoyed this wine over two days at home. Day two, the Syrah components were more apparent - spicy violets, black pepper, tobacco, and leather, the wine seems more integrated, smoother, less sharp, which allows the tannins to make a better appearance on the finish- not over the top, but a long and tasty finish. On day two I paired the 2009 Fusion 2.0 with fried pork chops and potato pancakes, resting on a mixed green salad, I made a little sauce and lightly drizzled it over the greens, yum, yum. Can you sense the satisfied grin on my face? Sorry, no photo, I was too busy eating and drinking.
I suggest you buy a case of the 2009 Fusion and open a bottle every three months, for the next three years, to see how well this wine continues to develop; it will be a rewarding endeavor. I give this wine a "Big Like".
2009 Fusion 2.0 Bled: Syrah, Petite Sirah and Grenache, $30 at the winery.
Thomas O'Neil Cellars
2323 Henderson Lp. Richland, WA 99354
(509) 378-9783
This bottle of wine was gifted by the winery.
Related posts:
Thomas O'Neil Cellars Brand Spanking New,
Final Destination Thomas O'Neil Cellars
Cheers!
fu•sion (fyo͞oˈzhən)
noun
1. The act or procedure of liquefying or melting by the application of heat.
2. The liquid or melted state induced by heat.
3. a. The merging of different elements into a union: the fusion of copper and zinc to form brass; the difficult fusion of conflicting political factions.
b. A union resulting from fusing: A fusion of religion and politics emerged.
4. Physics A nuclear reaction in which nuclei combine to form more massive nuclei with the simultaneous release of energy.
5. Music that blends jazz elements and the heavy repetitive rhythms of rock. Also called jazz-fusion, jazz-rock.
6. A style of cooking that combines ingredients and techniques from very different cultures or countries.
Origin: Latin fūsiō, fūsiōn-, from fūsus, past participle of fundere, to melt; see gheu- in Indo-European roots.