Winemaker Lisa Warr-King Packer churns out carefully orchestrated lots of reds, whites and Rosé with consistency. Her wines convey the best of New World expressions, elegantly styled but filled with flavor and appealing nuances. Her latest releases include a head-turning Chenin Blanc, two new Rosés that are equal parts charm and complexity, and a smooth supple red blend. Both of these Rosés are made with grapes grown in the Royal Slope AVA (American Viticultural Area), Washington State’s 15th official appellation.
Below are 4 releases we recently reviewed:
Warr-King Wines 2020 Chenin Blanc
92 pts.
Sourced from Hahn Hill Vineyard in the Columbia Valley AVA, this Chenin Blanc is a real showstopper, revealing the sort of complexity that reminds us what we cherish about this variety. It’s structured with lithe minerality and humming with beguiling flavors of D’Anjou pear, melon and apple arrayed with honeysuckle and white flowers. Lemon oil notes persist on the crisp, yet supple finish. $24
Warr-King Wines 2020 Marie Noelle Syrah Rosé
91 pts.
Fruit forward, with a nicely weighted feel and silky texture that hits every part of the palate. Rich raspberry, strawberry and watermelon flavors are inextricably bound with citrus and white pepper notes that pull tightly through the structured finish. $24
Warr-King Wines 2020 Lily Frances Petit Verdot Rosé
91 pts.
Smooth and luscious, this Rosé is packed with tropical fruit expressions of peach, pear and strawberry accented with orange zest. The pure fruit flavors run parallel to the upbeat acidity, citrus and mineral expressions that linger. $26
Warr-King Wines 2018 Tenacity Red Wine
91 pts.
A portion of the wine sales for Tenacity goes to benefit SPIN (STEM Paths Innovation Network), a non-profit that aims to increase access to high quality STEM education and close the STEM opportunity gap. Snappy, fresh and dense, in a moderately rich style that’s undercut with well-burnished tannins that provide uplifting structure to the polished profile of blackberry, raspberry, spiced cherry and dried herbs mingled with finishing expressions of graphite, tea leaf and cocoa. $26