The 2022 The Pugilist at Rest is another new wine. The name and artwork are taken from a book by the same title, written by Dave's writing mentor, Thom Jones. It is composed of 50% Cabernet, 33% Petit Verdot, and 17% Merlot, sourced from the Southwind and McKinley Springs Vineyards. This dark, well-structured wine boasts concentrated mineral flavors with ripe blueberries, offering a welcome change of pace that is both unique and delicious. $35 - not yet reviewed.
The 2022 Southwind Vineyard Cab includes 15% Merlot and is sourced from the most elevated point of the highly regarded Sevein Vineyard development in the Walla Walla appellation. It has a very dark color that reflects its concentrated flavors of cassis, forest floor, and tobacco with substantial but unobtrusive tannins - very Bordeaux-like. $35 - not yet reviewed.
“The 2021 ‘Palisade’ came from the Beverly, Champoux, and Mattawa vineyards and was stored in neutral oak barrels before bottling. Soft in the mouth, this delivers black cherry compote, mocha, tar, and suggestions of crème de violette on the palate. A delicious and dense treat to savor now or enjoy over the next fifteen years. 93 points.” Owen Bargreen.
“The 2021 ‘Sazon’ is a Merlot-dominant wine (64%) with the remainder Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, all stored in neutral oak barrels. Smooth and round, this shows a seamless texture throughout the drinking experience as medium to full-bodied blackberry and black cherry flavors mingle well with coffee grounds and freshly tilled loamy soils on the palate. Enjoy now and over the next decade. 92 points.” Owen Bargreen
“A beautiful and also very delicious blend of 67% Cabernet Sauvignon with the remainder Merlot, this saw 50% new French oak, is lush, pillowy and soft in the mouth. Loganberry cordial, anise, and crème de cassis flavors all mingle well with refined tannins and brilliant structure. Enjoy this fabulous wine now and over the next fifteen years to come. 94 points.” Owen Bargreen
“The 2021 ‘Soleil’ combines 70% Cabernet Sauvignon with the remainder Merlot and Syrah. Aged in neutral oak barrels, this delivers black currants and espresso coffee grounds on the nose alongside shades of crushed mint. The palate is soft and juicy with a smooth texture. Enjoy this beautiful wine now and over the next ten years to come. Drink 2024 – 2034. 92 points.” Owen Bargreen.
“The 2021 Commander Comet comes from the Discovery vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills AVA. Inky in the glass, this delivers tar, sagebrush, allspice, and dusted blackberry on the nose. The palate is soft and refined with a silky texture and a great sense of flavor density with its black fruit and chocolate core. Delicious now, watch this develop over the next decade. Drink 2024 -2034. 93 points.” Owen Bargreen
This wine from a 1998 planting is the last we’ll see from Elephant Mountain, as Larsen says he is transitioning to vineyards from the Horse Heaven Hills and Walla Walla Valley AVAs. So enjoy this excellent example from the Rattlesnake Hills. Firm, tight and tannic, its dark fruits are streaked with copper and coffee. The wine continued to improve over a full three days. 14.1%; (Rattlesnake Hills) Paul Gregutt 93/100
Principally sourced from Ranch at the End of the Road vineyard, with a barrel from Ciel du Cheval, this is the last Soos Creek vintage from any Red Mountain grapes. Dense, compact and deeply saturated with flavors of cassis, black fruits, anise and espresso, this just needs time and/or decanting to unpack all it holds. I suspect it will age into a truly gorgeous old wine, but that may take a decade or more. Were it aged in new oak, rather than used, it would rock the world. 14.1%; (Red Mountain) Paul Gregutt 93/100
A whiff of toasty oak immediately catches your attention as ripe dark currants collide with smoke, graphite, and blackberry compote on the nose. The palate is seamless and beautifully textured with a great acid and tannin edge that hold everything in place nicely. Drink 2021-2033, Owen Bargreen 91 points.