A new winery in Woodinville, TruthTeller Winery was recently founded by Chris and Dawn Loeliger. What started with making wine in garages and backyard sheds led to them producing wine in Woodinville. Chris grew up in Tokyo and went to the United States for college, where he studied aerospace engineering. He has previously worked an incredible range of jobs including through the Peace Corps, aerospace and defense, electronics, a home renovation business, real estate and wine. Chris attended the Northwest Wine Academy at South Seattle Community College and serves as the winemaker.
The new release red wines by TruthTeller are highly structured and balanced which is intriguing considering the heat of the 2014 vintages. These are wines that focus on poise rather than rich dark fruits so they are geared towards those who prefer drinking Washington wines in the Bordelaise style. Look for the 2014 TruthTeller ‘The Cynic’ Syrah (WWB, 90) which shows a very nice range of dark and red fruit flavors and aromatics. The 2014 TruthTeller ‘Wisdom’ Red Wine (WWB, 90) was a smooth Cabernet blend that showed wonderful poise and range. Learn more about these wines at http://truthtellerwinery.com Here are the new release wines by TruthTeller Winery.
2014 TruthTeller 'Frolic' Viognier- The 2014 'Frolic' Viognier by TruthTeller, sourced from the Elephant Mountain Vineyard, was aged in 40% neutral oak with the rest being stainless fermented prior to bottling. The wine opens with aromas of nectarine, orange blossom, Granny Smith apple and suggestions of ripe honeydew melon. The palate is rich, having flavors of cantaloupe, Japanese pear, vanilla cream and banana. This shows an exotic edge and comes with an exceedingly good price tag. Drink 2016-2021- 89
2014 TruthTeller 'The Cynic' Syrah- The 2014 TruthTeller 'The Cynic' Syrah is not negative about dark fruits. The wine was aged in neutral French oak for 18 months prior to bottling and is sourced from the Dineen and Patina Vineyards. After some time in the glass the wine begins to reveal aromatics of red cherry, cigar box, anise and hints of mocha. The palate is plush, yielding rich flavors of red cherry, violets, milk chocolate and tobacco leaf. Chewy and layered, this has the bright acidity to cellar well into the next decade. Drink 2016-2024- 90
2014 TruthTeller 'Pun' Red Wine- The 2014 TruthTeller 'Pun' Red Wine is a blend of 42% Cabernet with 32% Malbec and 21% Merlot with the remainder Petite Verdot. Needing more than an hour of aeration, the wine reveals aromas of sandalwood, red cherry, cigar box, anise and red currant. There are flavors of red cherry, red raspberry, black tea and hints of anise. While this doesn't have the weight that others possess in this vintage, this maintains a Bordelaise elegance and a rich mouthfeel. The striking acidity suggests this will cellar for more than a decade. An excellent value. Drink 2016-2026- 89
2014 TruthTeller 'Satire' Red Wine- This wine, which is primarily a blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc, opens with aromatics of red cherry, red raspberry, mint, red currant and hints of rose petals. The palate yields flavors reminiscent of red raspberry, rose petals, red cherry, coffee grounds and hints of baking spices. This shows nice poise considering the heat of the vintage. Be sure to give this a one hour decant before enjoying. Drink 2016-2024- 89
2014 TruthTeller 'Wisdom' Red Wine-The 2014 'Wisdom' by TruthTeller is an excellent blend of 57% Cabernet with 19% Merlot, 19% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petite Verdot. The wine was aged in 38% new French oak for 18 months prior to bottling. There are aromatics of cassis, anise, milk chocolate, and suggestions of red currant. The palate yields ripe flavors of dill, red cherry, black olive, sagebrush, eucalyptus and milk chocolate. The mouthfeel is lovely, leading to a long finish. This will cellar well for another decade. Drink 2016-2026- 90
2014 TruthTeller 'The Madman' Red Wine-This wine is a blend of 60% Syrah with 20% Cabernet Franc and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon that was sourced from Heart of the Hills Vineyard, Dineen Vineyard, Elephant Mountain Vineyard and Patina Vineyard. The wine begins with a bouquet of milk chocolate, pencil lead, sagebrush, and blackberry preserves. The wine has flavors reminisicent of black cherry, black olive, anise and dried sage. This shows a lovely feminine quality from the Cabernet Franc. Structured and tightly wound, if enjoying in its youth be sure to give this at least a one hour decant. Drink 2016-2025- 90