Fidélitas has become a name synonymous with Red Mountain virtuosity, evolving since its inception 24 vintages ago under the tenure of Charlie Hoppes, winemaker and founder.
Hoppes—joined by his son, Will—has brought to fruition a hard-won vision of becoming 100% AVA-focused. The Hoppes’ cultivate Cabernet Sauvignon and other Bordeaux varieties from their Red Mountain estate vineyard, as well as premium fruit through time-honored friendships among renown growers within the tightly-knit AVA community.
Charlie Hoppes works closely with nearly a dozen esteemed winegrape growers, among them estate manager Dick Boushey, Marshall Edwards of Quintessence Vineyard, and the Holmes family at iconic Ciel du Cheval Vineyard. “It is these relationships—and more—that have been the key to sourcing the best fruit on Red Mountain, which Charlie usually designates block by block, and sometimes row by row,” affirms Will Hoppes.
With over three decades of winemaking expertise, Charlie Hoppes’ brings his elegant and masterful Bordeaux style to each of the current releases we sampled. “Fidélitas was built around the idea of telling the story of Red Mountain’s exquisite terroir through its soil,” he says. “Faithful to our fruit, loyal to our process, and true to the landscape that is Red Mountain, we rise with the dawn and settle with the dusk every day, year in and year out, to bring you the best of what this appellation provides.”
The new tasting room is part of the exciting redevelopment of the former Redhook Brewery into what could be described as a wine village of sorts (on the same campus that is adjacent to Willows Lodge) and offers ample, easy-access parking. Modern, yet relaxing and laid-back describe the streamlined facility, brimming with assorted cozy lounging areas. Light bites are served daily, with a full menu Thursday-Sunday crafted by their in-house chef.
The wines have a silky-sleek polish and purity to them that shines with stunning dark fruit and terroir-driven mineral accents. This is an absolute must-visit in Woodinville.
They are located at 14200 NE 145th St, Suite B and open daily. Call (425) 558-9001 or visit their website at www.fidelitaswines.com.
Below are six releases we recently reviewed:
Fidélitas 2020 Ciel du Cheval Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
97 pts.
Charlie Hoppes has been making this single-vineyard release since 2006 and it includes some of the original 1975 old vine plantings. Ethereal and Old World in style, marked by elevated structure and silky tannins that glide through a polished matrix of black plum, cassis, dark cherry, worn cedar and dusky spice. An idyllic trifecta of Red Mountain power, elegance and complexity. $80
Fidélitas 2020 Optu Red Mountain Red Wine
94 pts.
This flagship red blend showcases five top-tier vineyards across the Red Mountain AVA that account for the wine’s complexity. Aromas of dark red fruit and a whiff of charred mesquite lead to a firmly-structured palate filled with dark stone fruit and loamy blueberry, layered with notes of fig paste, barrel spice and lasting stony minerality. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot $60
Fidélitas 2020 Fidélitas Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Clone 412
96 pts.
This clone is a rarity in Washington State and is practically an opposite twin to Clone 169, yet grown only 15 yards away in the estate vineyard. Remarkably fresh, highlighting a medley of pure raspberry and cherry paste with strawberry undertones on the buoyant, mouthfeel. Loam-accented red plum and vanilla spice on the midpalate are embedded with fine tannins that arc around the juicy finish revealing graceful structure. $85
Fidélitas 2020 Fidélitas Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Clone 169
96 pts.
This is the second solo bottling of this Cabernet clone grown at Fidélitas estate vineyard that’s managed by grower Dick Boushey. It partially resembles Old World Bordeaux with a lean tannic structure that dominates the texture and feel, yet rippling with New World character of crushed pebbles, black currant, cocao nib and anise. Sinewy, chalky tannins lock firmly around the laser-focused finish, encircled by blackberry, cherry and dusky graphite hints. $85
Fidélitas 2020 Quintessence Vineyard Malbec
95 pts.
This single-vineyard red was sourced from two blocks with slightly different slopes and elevations. Broadly structured, offering luscious blackberry, black cherry and red plum knit together by earthy-driven minerality and tobacco. Ends seamlessly, with good density and plush yet finely burnished tannins that add to the richness of the long finish. $60
Fidélitas 2022 Red Mountain Semillon
92 pts.
This wine is a blend of two older plantings from Artz and Klipsun vineyards. Shows nice weight and body, with light viscosity that delivers floral scents and tropical fruit expressions of white flowers, citrus zest, nectarine and passionfruit. Beautifully balanced acidity adds a mouthwatering finish. $30