November 9, 2023 - Woodinville & Washington Wines with Avennia and Liminal
/Join us for a captivating journey through the vibrant cellars of Woodinville, the hidden gem that has played an instrumental role in shaping Washington's wine legacy. Dive deep into the stories, challenges, and triumphs of the region with an exclusive interview featuring the co-owner and winemaker of esteemed estates, Avennia and Liminal. Together, we'll uncork the history of wine evolution in both Woodinville and the wider Washington area, delving into the transformational changes over the decades and pondering the tantalizing prospects of the future. Raise your glasses to the symphony of terroir and talent that is Washington and Woodinville wine!
We will be tasting the following wines:
The Story of This Wine. We believe Washington State can make Sauvignon Blanc that competes with any in the world. Oliane is barrel fermented in French oak using native yeast and aged on the lees for 7 months. It is bottled unfined to allow for greatest expression and complexity.
Winemaker’s Tasting Notes. “Pale straw in color with flecks of green. The nose is very complex and evocative, combining white stone fruit, grapefruit, a touch of summer peach, along with a little brioche, sun-dried hay, and a marine minerality. The palate is quite rich, yet cut through with an incisive minerality. Bright citrus and stone fruit lead, with a lot of complex hints of rubbed fennel, hibiscus, golden straw, and crushed flint. This quite concentrated, yet light on its feet wine, is singing right now, but should be very interesting to watch age for the next 7-10 years as well.”
- Chris Peterson, Winemaker
Past Vintage Scores
2020: 93, Owen Bargreen; 92, International Wine Report
2019: 92 & Editors’ Choice, Wine Enthusiast; 92, Vinous
2018: 92, Vinous
2017: 92, Jeb Dunnuck; 91 & Editors’ Choice, Wine Enthusiast
The Story of This Wine. Justine reflects our belief that Washington is capable of producing world-class blends of grape varieties traditional to the Southern Rhône region of France. The name is in-spired by one of the great heroines of recent literature, who also sprung from the imagination of the Mediterranean. Dark, seductive, complex, with a chasm of depth. The Justine is a great reflection of Avennia’s mission of expression, and Washington’s generous terroir.
Winemaker’s Tasting Notes. “Showing a medium-dark garnet color, this wine starts with a beautiful nose of dark raspberry, pomegranate, and orange zest, and desert herbs. The palate is seamless and complex, with dark red fruits, violets, licorice pastille, and wet clay. This wine always shows well on release and can age for a decade plus in the cellar.” - Chris Peterson, Winemaker
94 points, International Wine Report
2020 Sestina Cabernet Sauvignon
The Story of This Wine. The Sestina is an ancient form of poetry from Medieval France. Just as a modern poet can fill this form with new expressions, we use the traditional Bordeaux blend to express Washington. Sestina is our vision for an old vine, complex blend where all of the components complement each other. This wine is designed for the cellar, so the emphasis is on structure, balance, and complexity.
Winemaker’s Tasting Notes. “The nose on this wine is classic Sestina, with black currant cordial, Damson plum, dark chocolate torte, licorice pastille, bay leaf, and hints of wet river stones. Deep and impactful on the palate, where the dark blue and black fruits are carried by notes of sweet herbs, dark chocolate, bee pollen, and graphite notes. While this is showing great now, Sestina is designed to age very well. Drink 2025-2045.” - Chris Peterson, Winemaker
94 points, Northwest Wine Report
The Story of This Wine. For our taste, no one grows finer Syrah in the state than Dick Boushey. We make this wine with minimal manipulation using native yeasts, bottling unfined and unfiltered, to allow the “place” to shine through. We named this wine after the Provençal troubadour, Arnaut Daniel, who invented the Sestina poem form, thus creating a connection between our two flagship efforts.
Winemaker’s Tasting Notes. “This wine is quite dark in color, with aromas of black raspberry, plum and blackberry reduction, dried sage, and crushed rock. The palate is deep and quite savory, showing black fruits, licorice root, grilled pork belly, and black peppercorns. Though there’s plenty of fruit here, the savory elements are what sets this Arnaut apart. Give it a couple of years in the cellar and enjoy over the next decade and a half.” - Chris Peterson, Winemaker
95 points & Critic’s Choice, Northwest Wine Report
Liminal 2020 GSM Vineyard Series
Winemaking. Aged 16 months in a combination of French oak and concrete egg; blend of 46% Grenache, 28% Mourvèdre, 26% Syrah.
Winemaker’s Notes. Brooding black-red fruits, dark Amaro core, blood orange, bouquet garni. Large scaled with dark red fruits, salmonberry, Provencal herbs, and crushed stone mingling on a richly complete palate. Drink: 2024-2032.
91-93 points, Jeb Dunnuck
