One of the great stops in Woodinville, Sparkman Cellars was founded by some great people in wine, Chris and Kelly Sparkman. Prior to starting his winery, Chris worked in the Peace Corps and also worked for some of the nation’s best in fine dining. In 2004 he and his wife took the plunge to start their winery and they have seen some great success ever since. Sparkman Cellars is one of the few wineries that can make quality wines from Riesling to Cabernet -- and everything in between. He sources from some of the best vineyards in the state including the Boushey, Klipsun, Sagemoor and Ciel du Cheval Vineyards.
Chris Sparkman continues to have a large hand in the Washington Wine Industry, serving as chairman emeritus for the Washington State Wine Commission. His winemaker, Linn Scott, has now been at Sparkman for seven years and he has impressed with the new release wines. Look to his 2016 Sparkman ‘Birdie’ Riesling (WWB, 90) which is a downright awesome bottling that shows marvelous tension. The 2014 Sparkman ‘Ruckus’ Syrah (WWB, 93) shows massive potential and is a bit of a slumbering monster right now, with a huge dense core and gobs of dark fruits. Learn more about this great winery at http://www.sparkmancellars.com/. Here are the great new wines by Sparkman Cellars.
2016 Sparkman ‘Birdie’ Riesling- This brightly colored wine begins with aromas of green papaya, Gravenstein apple and white peach. This has nice lithe astringency and showcases green apple, cut grass and wet rock flavors. Drink 2017-2022- 90
2015 Sparkman ‘Wonderland’ Grenache- Sourced from the Yakima Valley, this wine begins with highly perfumed aromas of rose petals, red cherry starburst candy and Mandarin orange rind. Soft and inviting flavors of red cherry preserves, bubblegum, strawberry jam and cran-pomegrantae greet you. This is an outstanding effort by Sparkman that will cellar well for the next decade. Drink 2017-2027- 92
2014 Sparkman ‘L’Autre’ Pinot Noir- This outstanding Pinot is sourced from the Willamette Valley. Aromas of rose petals, red cherry and red raspberry cordial greet you. The tension and texture is really great here. Black raspberry, orange rind and red cherry flavors connect with a touch of black truffle. Drink 2017-2027- 91
2014 Sparkman ‘Ruckus’ Syrah- Sourced from Red Mountain, this inky colored Syrah begins with aromas of mocha, black tea and sagebrush with pipe tobacco. The silky mouthfeel impresses. Plush flavors of black forest cake, mocha and black tea impress. The weight and tension here from this hot vintage wine is outstanding. Drink 2017-2027- 93
2014 Sparkman ‘Darkness’ Syrah- This Yakima Valley bottling opens with aromas of smoked meats, black tea and blackberry jam. The rich mouthfeel leads to ripe blackberry pie, mocha and spice box flavors that sit alongside some nice tension. Drink 2017-2027- 91
2015 Sparkman ‘Preposterous’ Malbec- This Red Mountain Malbec begins with aromas of black tea, cigar box and blackberry jam. Lithe and polished this reveals black fruit flavors with mocha, crushed mint and cigar box. Enjoy this polished Malbec over the next decade. Drink 2017-2027- 91