Amavi Cellars
If you are in Walla Walla, a visit to Amavi’s beautiful winery overlooking the valley is a must. Amavi has been crafting wines that are open, expressive and perform well in even challenging vintages. Take their 2011 Cabernet, one of my Top 20 Wines of 2014. Considering the coldness of the vintage, it was impressive how they were able to create the fruit profile, the ripeness and the balance. Winemaker Jean-Francois Pellet has the experience to craft some impressive wines. Amavi’s new releases are forward, approachable and ready to drink, as they continued their impressive run of form in their 2012 releases. Amavi’s price point is one of the best for Walla Walla wineries, as most of their wines hover around 30 bucks. Look for Amavi wines online, or at Total Wines or good Northwest wine shops.
Here are some great new releases from Amavi that I recently tried at their Walla Walla winery.
2012 Amavi Syrah- Rich nose with mocha, blackberry, and cigar box. Palate has boysenberry, smoked meats, black cherry and black olive. Rich and layered. Drink 2015 on- 92
2012 Amavi Cabernet- This is a blend of 7 varietals. Nose has blackberry, anise and smoke. Palate is lithe with blackberry, anise and creme de cassis. Delicious now. Drink 2015 on. -91
2011 Amavi Les Collines Vineyard Syrah- Nose has smoked meats, black cherry and black olive. Palate has red cherry, anise, raspberry and provencale herbs. Complex and delicious. Drink 2015 on. -91
2013 Amavi Late Harvest Semillon- Beeswax, pear, and honey on the nose. Palate has vanilla cream, pear and golden delicious. Nice depth. -92