This is a lovely wine from this Woodinville, Washington based winery. Sourced from the very warm vineyards on Red Mountain, there is lots of fruit power here but wrapped in a cloak of polished, graphite minerality and burnished acidity that give this wine remarkable elegance.
The expressive nose shows prominent roasted meat aromas upon opening but the smoke backs off a bit after aeration to reveal dark berries, black olive, sage and mocha with hints of violet.
Despite the dark demeanor, it’s playful and vibrant on the plate, luscious without being dense, focused, with sustained purity of fruit even as the tannins and acidity gather strength.
Medium bodied and deftly oaked, the wine moves across the palate at a generous pace undergoing several subtle gradations of smooth. The tannins enter the stage gradually, seamlessly merging with the acidity to execute a heady climax before finishing with insouciant elan, graceful to the very end with a very soft, gentle finish.
More cerebral than passionate, refined but charismatic, with a pace and rhythm well matched to Steely Dan’s Glamour Profession.
Technical Notes: Sourced from mostly estate vineyards, aged in French barrique and puncheons.
Score: 92
Price: $39 (Purchase here)
Alc: 14.8%
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