Reviews of 21 proprietary red blends from Washington wineries
PROPRIETARY RED BLENDS are the vintner’s way of providing us with a singular wine experience. No two vintages produce exactly the same grape results, and thus every blending process involves infinite degrees of trial and error to dial in the final blend to the level of perfection sought by the vintner and their team. Masterly blended reds are hard to resist—the finest are commanding and provocative, yet flowing with riveting charm, balance and depth. We review 21 stellar reds, with personal comments from each winery about what makes these offerings special.
Figgins 2019 Estate Red Wine
“When I first found this site and planted Figgins estate vineyard in the Walla Walla Valley, the idea was to model it after Bordeaux—where you have a place, a winery, and a wine that is very singular,” says Chris Figgins, CEO & winemaking director. It’s not so much about the varietal, it’s about the place that it’s from. The intensity of the fruit in the 2019 is something to behold. It’s very focused, very pure and perfectly ripe with crisp acidity that highlights the fruit. This can be cellared 15-20 years.”
97 pts.
Powerful and lustrous, etched with a precise weave of lithe tannins threaded with fine-tuned acidity on the gripping mouthfeel. Evoking a brilliant range of red and black fruit mingled with rose petals, anise and herb sachet of dried sage and thyme that linger on the everlasting finish. Decant at least an hour. $95
The Red Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Merlot
DeLille Cellars 2019 D2 Red Wine
“D2 showcases the beauty of Washington State Merlot. Blending other varietals adds complexity, crafting one of the state’s highest quality and most consistent red blends,” says Jason Gorski, director of winemaking and viticulture. “I have spent the last decade of my career growing and improving D2 and spreading the message of Washington wines’ excellence.”
93 pts.
Named after the D2 highway that leads through France’s Bordeaux wine region, this signature red wine is culled from 12 notable Columbia Valley AVA vineyards, including Red Willow, Harrison Hill, Ciel du Cheval, Boushey, Klipsun and others. Supple and lithe, leading with a profile of dried cherry and black fruit that glide through trim tannins and savory elements. Neat layers of French roast coffee beans, dark chocolate and subtle clove and barrel spice resonate on the lengthy, full-bodied finish. $50
The Red Blend: 60% Merlot, 34% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot
àMaurice 2016 Estate Night Owl
“Our estate fruit for this comes from a special site. There is a wind that comes down from the Blue Mountains and either warms or cools depending on what the vines need,” says winemaker Anna Schafer Cohen. “It is a pure site. Finding subtlety when fermenting is difficult but with a little extra love and attention the expression is flawless.”
96 pts.
There’s an alluring quality to the compact flavors of cherry paste and black currant that expand spatially on the generous midpalate, converging in harmony with finely matted tannins that offer excellent weight and depth to the luxurious mouthfeel. The structure continues to unfold on the complex finish, revealing woodsy notes of dried sage, cedar bough, cocoa powder and spice. $60
The Red Blend: 49% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Cabernet Franc, 9% Petit Verdot
Maryhill Winery 2018 Serendipity Proprietor’s Reserve
“Our Serendipity is a classic Bordeaux-style blend. Being a Cab lover with Cabernet Sauvignon being the predominant grape varietal, it has always been at the top of my favorites,” says owner Craig Leuthold. “The grape sources for the blend vary somewhat year to year, as our winemaker Richard Batchelor will choose from different lots he feels will be best for the blend. It is named after all of the serendipitous moments and events that have occurred over the years at Maryhill winery.”
95 pts.
Suave with a mineral edge, teeming with bold structure and chewy tannins supported by a seamless flow of rich cassis, blackberry and dark raspberry flavors. Ample spice, cocoa powder and leather details add an expressive character to the integrated and well-rounded finish. $46
The Red Blend: 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 7% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 2% Malbec
Caprio Cellars 2020 Eleanor Estate Red Wine
“This 100% estate grown red has been our flagship wine since 2008 and remains one our most exciting releases today,” says Dennis Murphy, owner and winemaker. “Crafted from premium blocks of our three Walla Walla vineyards, this Bordeaux-inspired red blend is a tribute to my dear Italian grandmother, Eleanor Caprio.”
95 pts.
Impressive for its fresh purity of fruit and balanced structure, exhibiting underlying minerality and power that propel the dense blackberry and suave dark cherry flavors. Hints of orange peel surface on the mouthcoating palate, ending with waves of firm tannins and proportionate spice. $68
The Red Blend: 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, 12% Malbec, 7% Cabernet Franc
Chandler Reach 2017 Brevetatta
“Brevetatta means patented, proprietary in Italian, and is a Super Tuscan-style red blend. I wanted to create a unique blend that would showcase the versatility of our estate-grown varietals, with 2010 being the first vintage,” says Len Parris, owner and winemaker. “The well-balanced acidity of Brevetatta makes it a very food-friendly wine, and it will pair well with dishes such as wild boar and polenta, grilled pepper steak with onions and blue cheese, or grilled eggplant.”
93 pts.
This estate blend emanates with red and blueberries, cherry and currants backed by juicy acidity and a dusting of keen minerality. Layers of dark chocolate, dried herbs and loamy spice fill in the robust and smoothly-structured finish. $35
The Red Blend: 70% Syrah, 16% Sangiovese, 14% Merlot
Desert Wind 2016 Sandstorm Series Zephyr
“The 2016 Zephyr is one of the three wines released for our inaugural vintage of the Desert Wind Sandstorm Series, which was created to highlight our favorite lots from each vintage that stand out for their ageability, concentration, texture, and length,” says Lisa Lawrence, winery co-owner. “I particularly enjoy the Zephyr because it’s a Bordeaux-style blend that includes all six Bordeaux grape varieties, creating wonderful complexity and beautiful layers.”
96 pts.
Culled from the best lots of the vintage, the elegant structure is graceful, yet commanding in nature. A bouquet of violet and lavender bring a floral essence to the pure, undiluted flavors of crushed raspberry, blackberry and plum, deftly layered with pencil shavings, dark chocolate and herbal notes. Ends with an unwavering uplift of fresh acidity. $80
The Red Blend: 37% Merlot, 22% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Petit Verdot, 17% Malbec, 3% Cabernet Franc, 3% Carménère
Sheridan Vineyard 2019 L’Orage Red Wine
“L’Orage, the French term for the storm or the rage was launched in the fall of 2001 after a wicked hail storm struck Sheridan Vineyard that June. The storm took 97% of the crop to the ground on what was the second vintage of Sheridan Vineyard and only a few dozen cases were produced in 2001,” says Big John Caudill, chef and hospitality director. “L’Orage is our ‘homage’ to Mother Nature and flagship red wine that epitomizes the terroir of the Roza Hills.”
95 pts.
This Left Bank Bordeaux-style is fresh and ultra-creamy, with sturdy structure and pillowy tannins highlighted by concentrated blackberry, cassis, raspberry and old-vine briary spice. The complex dark fruit flavors evolve on the extended finish, notated with huckleberry, tea leaf and worn cedar hints. $60
The Red Blend: 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc
Coyote Canyon H/H Reserve 2019 Michael Andrews Red Wine
“I began planting Coyote Canyon Vineyard nearly thirty years ago. The first Tempranillo grapes went into the ground in 2004, and our Graciano in 2006. The Graciano was one of the earliest significant plantings in Washington State,” says owner Michael Andrews. “We made our first vintage of this Spanish Rioja-style blend in 2009. As the vines mature, the wines gain more complexity. From experience we have found this wine continues to develop with cellar aging. This is one of my favorites, and I am proud to put my name on the bottle.”
94 pts.
Minerally overtones of fresh-dug loam are framed by luscious ripe cherry and blackberry, detailed with violet, cola, dark chocolate, peppercorn and cedar hints. There’s a purity to the fruit, joined with a beam of fresh acidity and well-cut tannins that carry through the long-lasting finish. $49
The Red Blend: 60% Graciano, 35% Tempranillo, 5% Grenache
Fidelitas 2019 Optu Red Mountain
“From five vineyard partners, this wine reflects a nice cross-section of Red Mountain, from top to bottom,” says winemaker Charlie Hoppes. “Optu was the first wine we made in 2000. In the world of wine, 20 vintages is where you are just getting started, but it still is significant for us. This wine is fruit driven from all the different varieties of Cabernet that we used from Red Mountain.”
95 pts.
The tantalizing structure showcases a dusty matrix of firm tannins and a touch of new oak that contribute to the brooding profile. Minerally-driven with plum, red berries and blue fruit embedded with violet, cola and cocoa powder. Deepening spice notes emerge with lasting definition on the textural and broad finish. $60
The Red Blend: 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc, 7% Petit Verdot
Rolling Bay Winery 2018 Manitou Red
“This was our first blend when we started the winery in 2007,” says Alphonse de Klerk, owner and winemaker of the Bainbridge Island winery who sources grapes from prime vineyards in eastern Washington. “The grapes for this vintage represent four distinct growing regions in the Yakima AVA.”
93 pts.
Crafted with a backbone of old vine Cabernet planted in 1979 at Upland Vineyards that infuses inviting stony minerality to the uplifting structure. Cut with fine tannins and a tapestry of blackberry preserves, boysenberry and polished red cherry flavors backed with coffee grinds and dried herbs on the lengthy finish. $38
The Red Blend: 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Syrah, 10% Malbec, 10% Merlot
Smasne Cellars 2019 Ancient Rocks
“Ancient Rocks is our proprietary Rhône blend that gets its namesake from the unique deposits of rounded river-worn rock we find in some of the best vineyard sites in Eastern Washington,” says Robert O. Smasne, owner and winemaker.
92 pts.
Citrus-driven acidity adds nice tension to this red, with high-toned structure showing plenty of raspberry and cassis flavors wrapped around a gamut of brambly spice, white pepper, tar, stony minerality and a thread of florality. $44
The Red Blend: 52% Grenache, 26% Mourvèdre and 19% Syrah co-fermented with 3% Viognier
Alexandria Nicole Cellars 2019 Destiny
“Destiny is our prized Bordeaux blend, named in honor of our Estate Vineyard, Destiny Ridge. From the time I laid eyes on the ground, it has felt like my destiny and I am grateful for it,” says Jarrod Boyle, managing partner/winemaker. “With this in mind, we carefully select each varietal from different soil profiles throughout the vineyard to create this elegant yet intense wine, in the hopes that wherever this wine finds you, it reminds you to embrace your dreams.”
95 pts.
This Bordeaux varietal red is elegantly structured with snowflake-like tannins that glide firmly through a sleek array of blackberry, cassis, raspberry and cherry paste flavors. Refined accents of thyme, dark chocolate and tobacco contribute to the lasting impression. $56
The Red Blend: 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, 7% Petit Verdot, 3% Malbec, 2% Carménère
Dumas Station Wines 2019 Cuvee No. 439
“This wine is special and unique to Dumas Station for its story. Yes, this is a Bordeaux blend from the best barrels in our cellar, but the name and the photo on the label are special to us,” says Pete Thorson, marketing & sales manager. “The name, Cuvée No. 439, was the passenger train that used to travel along the tracks by our winery carrying people between Dayton and Walla Walla. The historic photo shows the train parked in front of Washington state’s oldest courthouse, the Columbia County Courthouse, during the final stages of its construction. This is a special wine with a special story for us.”
94 pts.
Balanced, fresh and rich tasting, boasting chiseled structure and a fine weave of firm tannins. Cascading flavors of ripe black cherry and dark raspberry are vibrantly layered with violet, fig, pencil shavings and crushed pebbles. Ends with stellar focus, concentration and length. $55
The Red Blend: 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Cabernet Franc, 26% Merlot, 16% Petit Verdot
Côte Bonneville 2019 Carriage House
“At Côte Bonneville, the goal is to express the spectacular estate DuBrul Vineyard,” says winemaker Kerry Shiels. “Carriage House is special because it is crafted from vines that grow in a specific soil type, showcasing a sense of place. This classically-styled Bordeaux Blend shows the distinctive character of this terroir in DuBrul. It will continue to evolve and mature for well over a decade.”
94 pts.
Lithe and contoured on the elegant structure, this red bounds across the palate with high-toned cassis, cherry paste and violet, supported by tobacco and tea leaf nuances. Fine-grained tannins weave through the rich, savory midpalate to the dried herb and spice-filled finish. $54
The Red Blend: 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc
Prohibition Cellars 2020 Cabernoir
“Cabernoir is a unique blend of equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir. I first made this blend back in Hungary as an assistant winemaker, and I really liked it because it is so playful, and always changing in your glass,” says owner and winemaker Sandor Faludi. “The two varieties are so different in taste profile, so I blend them together right after fermentation and age them in French oak for 12 months, giving them time to get know each other and find where they’d like to meet.”
94 pts.
Richly built, with high-toned acidity and vaulted structure that drives the compelling fruit of blackberry, dark raspberry and cherry underscored by loam and graphite details. Moderate tannins mingle with hints of blue fruit, leather and pepper spice that evolve on the sumptuous finish. $58
The Red Blend: 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 50% Pinot Noir
Milbrandt Vineyards 2018 Butch Blend Lunar Maria
“It is a blend of varieties that are not typically blended together in Washington, so a little outside the norm of what we typically do,” says winemaker Kendall Mix. “This created a new and unique vibe as we approached this blend. Through the blending process we created a wine that showcases the finesse and delicacy of the varieties involved.”
94 pts.
Named after lunar basaltic soil, this red is smooth and expressive. The open texture exhibits a laser beam of cherry paste and ripe raspberry that mingles seamlessly with leather, wild herbs, coffee grinds and loamy earth. Plum and fennel notes complement the lengthy finish. $62
The Red Blend: 53% Tempranillo, 41% Mataro, 6% Garnacha
Baer Winery 2017 Callisto
“I love this blend because although we work almost exclusively with grapes associated only with the Bordeaux region of France, because we are in Washington we can add Syrah (a southern Rhône grape),” says proprietor Lisa Baer. “We think this embodies the spirit of Washington winemaking—taking great things and making them better. Making them our own.”
93 pts.
Big and ripe in a polished style, with abundant aromas of dark fruit, coffee and cigar box. Richly concentrated flavors of blackberry, boysenberry coulis and Italian plum merge effortlessly with pretty violet, spice, earth and graphite hints. Smooth, with voluminous mouthfeel on the broadly textured finish and captivating longevity. $40
The Red Blend: 42% Syrah, 29% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Petit Verdot
Locus Wines 2019 Nord
“The Nord is one of the crowd favorites at the Locus Tasting Room,” says owner Rich Burton. “It’s always a Syrah-dominant Rhône-style blend. Only neutral French oak was used to create this lighter, spicier vintage. I love that the Cinsault and Mourvèdre really shine through the typically overpowering Syrah.”
92 pts.
Fluid, with crunchy acidity and distinct aromas of red berries, pomegranate, peppercorn and dried herbs. A lean and tightly wound red evoking cherry, rose petal, light game and spice. Solidly built, with lingering bright fruit and savory character on the moderately long finish. $30
The Red Blend: 60% Syrah, 20% Mourvèdre, 20% Cinsault
Hedges Family Estate 2020 Red Mountain
“The Hedges Estate Red Mountain blend is a very special wine to us,” says winemaker Sarah Hedges Goedhart. “It is the true expression of what Hedges Family Estate is all about. It uses fruit from all of our biodynamically farmed vineyards and most of our varietals; it gives a really good summary of the trials, tribulations and triumphs of the terroir for that vintage.”
91 pts.
Firm tannins and sleek acidity close in around leather-intoned flavors of red and black fruit, inlaid with cocoa, cinnamon, cola and spice notes that demonstrate overall balance and oak restraint. All the grapes come from within a two-mile radius of the winery. $30
The Red Blend: 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 9% Syrah, 6% Cabernet Franc, 3% Malbec, 1% Petit Verdot
Burnt Bridge Cellars 2019 Blend X
“Blend X is a popular Bordeaux-style blend we make every year,” says owner Mark Mahan. “The name originated from a placeholder mark that we put on our first hobby blend in 2009. It was a Merlot-dominant wine that didn’t have a name, hence an “X” was hastily scribbled on the case cartons. The name Blend X stuck from then on. We’ve always loved the combination of Walla Walla Merlot grapes from Les Collines and Seven Hills Vineyards, so this wine has continued to be a Merlot-dominant blend. And since ‘Bordeaux’ has that letter in it, the name will undoubtedly remain Blend X.”
92 pts.
This Merlot-forward red was sourced from three AVAs (Walla Walla Valley, Yakima Valley and Horse Heaven Hills), offering well-tailored structure and underlying earthiness. Vibrant, with smooth tannins and expressive red and black fruit shaded with violet, cola and loamy hints. $45
The Red Blend: 56% Merlot, 22% Malbec, 16% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc