Winemaker and owner Lisa Warr-King Packer continues to impress with a string of hit releases perfect for summer (or if you’re like me, anytime of year is the right time for solid white wines built in a refreshing style). Her fascination with making New World wines using an Old World minimalist approach is probably rooted in her family DNA that at one time crossed the Atlantic from Britain to start a new life in the states.
“Warr-King is my maiden name, it’s a British surname that goes back five generations. My dad’s from England,” says Lisa. “Elizabeth King and Edward Warr got married and decided to tie the name—for status, property, ownership or whatever.” She points out the trademark poppy flower on her labels is a remembrance to her grandfather and family who fought in the World Wars.
Lisa is a veteran of the Woodinville winery scene, where she produced her first commercial vintage in 2012. She has a keen talent for crafting lovely food-friendly, small batch wines that reflect a sense of purity and terroir-driven minerality without being over-manipulated or over-hyped.
The Chardonnay and two different Rosés we recently reviewed (see below) are a trio of exceptional quality, character and complexity.
Visitors will find a full lineup of releases (and a few library wines) at the warehouse winery district tasting room located at 19501 144th Ave NE, Ste D-700, Woodinville. Phone (425) 558-3994 or learn more online at www.warr-kingwines.com.
Below are three releases we currently reviewed:
Warr-King Wines 2019 “Lily Frances” Rosé, $26
Editors Choice – Outstanding, 91 pts.
Made from 100% Petit Verdot grapes, this Rosé is creamy, smooth and filled with youthful energetic personality, there’s a slightly sweet edge guiding rich floral and tropical flavors of passion fruit, strawberry and Bing cherry.Distant notes of orange citrus and sea breeze grace the finish.
Warr-King Wines 2019 “Leilani” Chardonnay $26
Editors Choice – Outstanding, 91 pts.
Fermented in stainless, the grapes were sourced from Crawford Vineyard in the Columbia Valley AVA. Crisp and lean, leading with tempting aromas of fresh pineapple, honeysuckle, lemon, lime and baking spices. The structure is clean-cut, yet amply weighted, loaded with delicious flavors of green apple, pear, and kiwi infused with mineral details on the polished finish.
Warr-King Wines 2019 “Marie Noelle” Rosé, $24
Editors Choice – Outstanding, 91 pts.
Crafted from first-press Syrah grapes grown at Stillwater Creek Vineyard, this dry version retains a freshness to the cherry, watermelon rind and rose water flavors that take center stage, filling in the gaps with accents of dried strawberry, essence of bitters, and a pleasing uplift of citrusy acidity followed by stony minerality that marks the finish.