Owen Roe Sinister Hand Red 2015

Owen Roe Sinister Hand Red 2015 is a Rhône-style red blend from Columbia Valley, Washington, bottled at 14.1% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Built around a core of Grenache with Syrah, Mourvèdre, and Cinsaut, this vintage has been described as Washington State's answer to a top-tier Côtes du Rhône and earned an 89-point critical score.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.1%  |  Origin: Columbia Valley, Washington  |  Vintage: 2015  |  Producer: Owen Roe Winery

Production & Heritage

Owen Roe Winery, founded by David O'Reilly, sources fruit from premier vineyard sites across Oregon and Washington to produce wines rooted in Old World sensibility and New World terroir. The 2015 Sinister Hand is composed of 44% Grenache, 27% Syrah, 16% Mourvèdre, and 13% Cinsaut — a Southern Rhône–inspired blend that leans on Grenache for its structural backbone. What distinguishes this bottling is the partial carbonic maceration applied to the Cinsaut component, a technique more commonly associated with Beaujolais and select Rhône producers, which softens tannins and amplifies primary fruit perfume — an unusual choice for a Washington State red that gives the wine its signature liveliness.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Cranberry and raspberry candied fruit lead the nose, courtesy of the Grenache majority. Delicate violets from the Mourvèdre add a floral lift, while the carbonic-macerated Cinsaut contributes a bright, perfumed quality that pulls the aromatics forward.

Taste: The entry is fruit-forward with ripe cranberry and raspberry giving way to darker, more savory mid-palate notes driven by the Syrah component. Tropical fruit undertones from the Cinsaut emerge at mid-palate, adding unexpected complexity and a sense of playfulness to the blend. The Grenache keeps things cohesive, providing a round, generous mouthfeel without excessive weight.

Finish: Medium-length with soft tannins and a savory, slightly peppery fade. Lingering red fruit and a faint floral echo carry through the close.

How to Drink Sinister Hand

This blend rewards a slight chill — around 60–65°F — to keep the fruit vibrant and the tannins nimble. Decanting for 20–30 minutes opens up the floral and savory layers considerably. In cocktails, it functions well in a Sangria, where its cranberry-forward fruit holds up against citrus and sweetener; a Kalimotxo, where its ripe, approachable character balances the cola bitterness; and a New York Sour, where its berry intensity and moderate tannins float beautifully over a whiskey base.

Best For

• Introducing a Rhône wine lover to Washington State's take on the style
• Pairing with a fall or winter charcuterie and roasted vegetable spread
• Gifting to someone who appreciates Southern French blends with a New World twist
• Exploring library vintages from a respected Pacific Northwest producer

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Sinister Hand 2015 taste like? The dominant profile is ripe cranberry and raspberry fruit layered with savory, peppery notes and a floral violet accent. Partial carbonic maceration of the Cinsaut adds a tropical fruit brightness and softens the overall tannin structure.

How does Sinister Hand compare to a Côtes du Rhône? Both share a Grenache-led, Southern Rhône–style blend with savory and fruit-driven character, though the Sinister Hand tends toward riper, more generous fruit from the warmer Columbia Valley climate. Classic Côtes du Rhône often shows more herbal garrigue notes, while this wine emphasizes candied red fruit and floral perfume.

Is Sinister Hand 2015 good for sipping neat? Absolutely — its balanced tannins, moderate 14.1% ABV, and layered fruit-to-savory progression make it an engaging wine to drink on its own, especially with a short decant.

Where is Sinister Hand made? Sinister Hand is produced by Owen Roe Winery using fruit sourced from vineyards in the Columbia Valley AVA of Washington State, a large appellation known for warm days, cool nights, and volcanic soils that favor Rhône varieties.

What foods pair well with Sinister Hand 2015? Grilled lamb chops complement the savory Syrah component; roasted root vegetables echo the wine's earthy undertones; cured meats like soppressata match its peppery finish; herb-crusted pork loin works with its Grenache-driven fruit; and aged Manchego cheese bridges the gap between the cranberry fruit and the wine's tannic structure.

What sizes does Sinister Hand come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle.

Is Sinister Hand 2015 worth the price? Sinister Hand positions as a mid-range offering that delivers complexity typically found in pricier Southern Rhône bottlings. Its four-grape blend with partial carbonic maceration represents a level of winemaking ambition that over-delivers relative to its price tier.

Why Sinister Hand?

The use of partial carbonic maceration on the Cinsaut component is the detail that separates this wine from other Washington State Rhône blends — it is a deliberate, uncommon production choice that adds a layer of aromatic complexity and textural softness you rarely find at this level. The 2015 vintage benefits from a warm growing season in the Columbia Valley that pushed Grenache and Syrah toward full ripeness while preserving enough acidity to keep the wine structured. With an 89-point critical score and a blend that genuinely echoes the spirit of Southern France while remaining distinctly Pacific Northwest, the Sinister Hand stands as one of the more compelling Rhône-style reds produced outside of its ancestral home.