A few weeks back I had the opportunity to attend the Figgins Family Winery release party for the 2012 Figgins Red Wine at Aqua by El Gaucho. This spectacular event had some of the best appetizers I’ve had in a long time. But the real star of the show was the 2012 Figgins Red Wine, made by Chris Figgins, head winemaker at Figgins but also Leonetti Cellars. I was impressed with what Figgins did in 2011 with their Red Wine (WWB, 91) but the ’11 Red Wine is not approachable now and will need time (meaning more than two years) for the fruit to integrate.
Kudos to Chris Figgins for absolutely nailing his 2012 Red Wine. The wine is a single vineyard blend that comes from the Figgins Estate Vineyard in Walla Walla. I had a chance to talk to Chris about the wine at his wine release event. This blend is a secret, as he doesn’t say the precise components. He simply states that it is a blend of Cabernet, Merlot and Petit Verdot from his estate vineyard. He was tremendously happy with the resultant blend and stated that the 2012 growing season was wonderful to work with, with near perfect conditions. Chris mentioned that wonderful acid structure in the wine was obtained through the balance in temperatures during the year. The 2012 Red Wine sings with wonderful dark fruit flavors and striking minerality. The 2012 releases from Figgins have been absolutely on point, whether it is the 2012 Doubleback bottlings, this wine or the 2012 Leonetti bottlings. Figgins also makes a wonderful and refreshing Kabinette style Riesling that has wonderful pear and green apple flavors and delivers with racy acidity. Chris Figgins is absolutely up there with the best winemakers in the state. Check out these fantastic wines at Figgins.com #figgins #figginsestate
2012 Figgins Estate Red- This wine is sourced from the Figgins Estate vineyard and is a mystery blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petit Verdot. 70% was aged in few French oak (22 months), while 30% was aged in second fill French oak (also for 22 Months) prior to bottling. This wine was released in September 2015 and is showing beautifully right now. Speaking to winemaker, Chris Figgins, at the release, he mentions the purity of fruit from this fantastic vintage. This wine is considerably more open than the '11 Figgins Red upon release. The wine begins with aromas of blackberry, mocha, roasted figs and cassis There are flavors reminiscent of blackberry, mocha, smoked meats, black olive and black plum. This is a rich and open wine with a lively mouthfeel. This wine gets better and better with every sip. A tremendous effort from a great vintage. Drink 2015-2030- 94
2014 Figgins Riesling- This Kabinett style Riesling has bright aromatics of pear and golden delicious apple as well as a petrol element. The palate has flavors of green apple, cantaloupe and pear. There is a lush and impressive mouthfeel to this wine and a racy acid structure. This is a fresh and delicious style wine that would be well-suited for sushi. Drink 2015-2021. -90