Scores
93 Points, James Suckling
89 Points, Jeb Dunnuck
89 Points, Robert Parker's Wine Spectator
Tasting Notes by Winemaker Charles Smith
"So gorgeous, enticing you with orange blossom, fragrant melon, lemon peel, and graham cracker. On the palate, it continues to satisfy with a beautiful liveliness and refined richness of Fuji apple, minerals, and lemon crème. What more can be said except to start over and take another sip!"
Vineyards
Frenchman Hills Vineyard (70%)
Planted in 1998, Frenchman Hills is located just north of the Wahluke Slope. Sitting at 1650 feet elevation, it is a cooler site than the surrounding vineyards, yet does not easily frost. The ancient limestone and broken basalt soils are still intact, as the top of the vineyard were not impacted by the Missoula Flood nearly 12,000 years ago. The cooler aspect allows the grapes to have a long hang time without accumulating excess sugar and the resulting wines maintain beautiful acidity.
Roza Hills Vineyard (27%)
At an elevation of 1350 feet, Roza Hills Vineyard is located in a southern sloping bowl, on the south side of the Rattlesnake Hills. Planted in 1977, the majority of the vines are located in soils of loamy silt and chalk, with broken basalt chunks interspersed.
Moxee Vineyard (3%)
Planted in 1973, Moxee is located east of Yakima and north of Moxee. The south-facing slope is approximately 1450 feet elevation. The soil is Moxee silt loam with broken limestone.
Vintage
The 2020 vintage might be the best vintage that we have ever had in Washington state history. We had an incredible growing season that was long and temperate, allowing the fruit to ripen evenly. The wines are focused, rich, complex, and lively. The reds are restrained and elegant, yet powerful with incredible tension and balance. Our white and rosé wines are wonderfully rich on the palate but balanced with enough acid to make the wines complete. We are excited to see how these wines evolve!