Amavi Cellars
Located in a gorgeous country setting outside of Walla Walla, Amavi is a small, family owned winery that uses the best of Walla Walla Vallley fruit. Amavi sources from vineyards such as Seven Hills, Pepper Bridge and Les Collines to create their rich and ready to drink wines. Head winemaker Jean-François Pellet is a third-generation winemaker and grape grower. Pellet also makes wines for Amavi’s sister property, Pepper Bridge and was named 2015 Washington WInemaker of the year at the Seattle Wine Awards.
Having reviewed Amavi wines for more than 10 years, I’ve found that most of these wines are delicious straight out of the bottle and carry a very reasonable, 30 dollar price point. This will be especially true with their new release red wines, which come from a warm vintage. For instance, their 2013 ‘Walla Walla Valley’ Syrah (WWB, 92) was opened right before I sampled it and I found it to be rich and balanced. A recent stop to their Woodinville tasting room impressed. Their 2013 Cabernet (WWB, 91) was a rich and balanced effort, which was also delicious straight out of the bottle. Look for these great wines at high end Northwest grocery stores like Met Market and some QFCs or also Total Wines, Bev Mo or Esquin. Learn more about Amavi at http://www.amavicellars.com Here are the great new release wines from Amavi.
2014 Amavi Semillon- This wine begins with aromas of beeswax, honey, and red delicious apple. There are flavors of pear, red delicious apple, cut grass, and nutmeg. This Semillon is a delicious and lithe effort by these guys. Drink 2016-2021- 91
2013 Amavi ‘Walla Walla Valley’ Syrah- The Syrah was sourced from 54% Les Collines, 26% Stone Valley, 11% Seven Hills, 7% Pepper Bridge, and 2% Summit View vineyards. This wine begins of smoked meats, blackberry pie, mocha and a graphite edge. This leads to flavors of blackberry preserves, loganberry, coffee grounds with nice intensity. Good balance and fruit weight. Drinking beautifully right now. Drink 2016-2025- 92
2013 Amavi ‘Les Collines Vineyard’ Syrah- This wine begins with aromas of mocha, cassis, blackberry and black olive. This leads to flavors of mocha, Christmas spice, anise and blackberry with suggestions of leather. Drink 2016-2026- 92
2013 Amavi 'Ceres' Tempranillo- This warm vintage bottling is sourced from the Les Collines vineyard. The wine begins with aromas of wet gravel, smoked meats, with hints of green olive and prune. This leads to flavors of blackberry cobbler, stewed prune, red cherry and anise with secondary hints of leather and spicebox. Absolutely delicious and open style wine. Only 368 cases made of this wine. Drink 2016-2025- 91
2013 Amavi Walla Walla Valley Cabernet- This wine is comprised of 76% Cabernet, 11% Cabernet Franc, 8% Merlot, 3% Malbec and 1% Syrah and 1% Petit Verdot. This Cabernet begins with aromas of red currant, smoke, blackberry preserves, and black tea. The palate has nice weight with flavors of blackberry jam, coffee grounds, green bell pepper and suggestions of tar. Delicious wine that will cellar beautifully for another decade. Drink 2016-2026- 91