A relatively new Woodinville Winery, Kevin White Winery was founded in 2010. Since that time Kevin has been crafting great Washington wines inspired by the Rhone Valley. After Kevin was first moved by a great wine in 2006 he sought to gain a more formal background, taking classes in chemistry, microbiology and enology. Kevin started making his wines at nearby Baer before opening his tasting room in the warehouse district of Woodinville. His wines are a downright killer value in Washington.
I recently had the chance to sit down with him and check out his new releases from the warm 2014 and 2015 vintages. These are serious wines that show a wonderful combination of warm Washington fruit and old world minerality. Look to the 2015 Kevin White ‘En Hommage’ Syrah (WWB, 93) which is a silky effort that shows wonderful range and persistence. Just as good was the outstanding 2014 Kevin White ‘DuBrul Vineyard Heritage’ Red Wine (WWB, 93) which is sourced from one of the state’s premier vineyards and shows a wonderful Bordelaise herbaceousness and a killer plush mouthfeel. Learn more about these outstanding wines at https://www.kevinwhitewinery.com Here are the great new wines by Kevin White.
2015 Kevin White ‘La Fraternite’ Red Wine- This outstanding wine is a blend of 60% Grenache, 33% Mourvedre and 7% Syrah which was sourced from the Boushey and Upland Vineyards. The wine saw lengthy battonage. The wine begins with intense aromatics of rose petals, pipe tobacco and red cherry. This has a gorgeous texture and a silky mouthfeel. The wine delivers ripe red fruit flavors with nutmeg, blood orange rind and a lengthy finish. Drink 2017-2027- 92
2015 Kevin White ‘En Hommage’ Syrah- The inky colored Syrah was aged in 10% new French oak prior to bottling. The wine opens with smoky aromatics of smoked pork shoulder, sagebrush, crushed mint and black olive tapenade. The wine has some sterling minerality as this almost passes for Northern Rhone. Bulls blood, black tea, Asian spices, cigar box and suggestions of Mandarin orange rind complete this wine that shows some serious range. The tension and structure here is outstanding. Drink 2017-2027- 93
2014 Kevin White ‘DuBrul Vineyard Heritage’ Red Wine- This wine is a blend of 53% Merlot and 47% Cabernet Sauvignon. This wine was aged in 40% new French oak for 22 months prior to bottling. The wine begins with aromatics reminiscent of red bell pepper, red cherry, black tea and tar. The mouthfeel is plush and beautiful. Red cherry, milk chocolate, cloves and a slight salinity mark this outstanding wine. This elegant wine will be a long-ager. Drink 2017-2030- 93