Sandor and Sabrina Faludi continue to build upon a following that has been attracted to this Woodinville warehouse winery ever since they opened in 2019. The husband and wife team turn out small-lot reds and whites served at this gem of a tasting room with hospitable flair. Hungarian-born Sandor says he fosters Old World philosophy, much inspired by his grandfather, who was a winemaker with a small vineyard in Hungary where Sandor was raised.
“I don’t like to manipulate my wines,” says Sandor. “I don’t add acid, tannin, or water to adjust the flavor of the wine. I want my wine to be a true reflection of the fruit from each vintage with minimal intervention.”
Each of the four wines we reviewed below are single-vineyard reds. Sandor’s wines show a purity reflective of the vineyards and the select growers he works with.
Visit & Taste: The winery and tasting room are located in the Woodinville Warehouse District at 19501 144th Ave NE, Suite F-900, Woodinville. Phone (818) 431-0074 or visit online at www.prohibitioncellars.com.
Below are 4 red wines we recently reviewed:
Prohibition Cellars 2020 Red Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon
94 pts.
Made from grapes grown at Heart of the Hills Vineyard, this sleek red shows finesse, with firm, gripping tannins that glide through a powerfully-built core of rich black cherry layered with graphite, tobacco and crushed gravel. Winemaker Sandor Faludi has been crafting his signature bold-style Cabernet from vineyards in the Red Mountain AVA from the start, and this latest release is yet another knockout. $65
Prohibition Cellars 2020 Scarface Syrah
93 pts.
Robust yet smoothly structured, this Syrah from Les Collines Vineyard is deeply concentrated, with earthy-tinged blueberry and boysenberry framed by umami details of cured black olive, coffee bean, pink and green peppercorn, savory dried herbs and mesquite. The elements meld in unison on the bold, spice-filled finish, throttled with underlying power. $65
Prohibition Cellars 2020 Red Willow Vineyard Merlot
95 pts.
Supple and elegant in every way, this starts with enticing aromas of dark fruit, pencil lead and juniper berry. The structure is commanding, yet filled with poise, balanced with crushed-velvet tannins wrapped tightly around a gorgeous seam of silky acidity. Black cherry, dark plum and cocoa powder mingle effortlessly, almost as if defying gravity, revealing mineral and spice notes on the long finish. $70
Prohibition Cellars 2020 Les Collines Vineyard Merlot
93 pts.
Bold, plush and rounded, with a defined savory character that weaves through spiced plum, juicy blackberry and cigar wrapper. Broad shouldered in style, a light touch of ultra-fine tannins highlight details of macerated blueberry, floral flavors, sage, loam, and a darting glimpse of orange peel on the complex finish, backed by ample fruit and spice. $70