EFESTĒ

One of the standout wineries in Woodinville,  EFESTĒ, pronounced F-S-T, is an acronym for the winery’s original three founders: Ferrelli, Smith, and Taylor. Their idea to make two barrels of wine based on the Ferrelli annual tradition of winemaking has since evolved into a family label. The winery has grown considerably in the past ten years. EFESTĒ has a hugely popular wine club that has gained the reputation of being one of the best in the state, as they are regularly holding special member events. I had the great opportunity to interview one of the founders, Daniel Ferreli, last year and last week I interviewed their superstar winemaker, Peter Davison, who joined EFESTĒ as their winemaker in 2012. Peter took over for another standout in Washington, Brennan Leighton, who joined Charles Smith.

Peter Devison has gained a national reputation for his white wines. His red wines are every bit as good. I really enjoyed talking wine with him the other day, as his vast knowledge and experience really shines in the bottle. The EFESTE overall lineup of wines is one of the best in the state. Look for his 2014 EFESTĒ ‘Lola’ Chardonnay (WWB, 94) which is one of the best Chardonnay releases that I have sampled in the past year from Washington. This dense and lovely effort showcases his spectacular winemaking ability. This is a wonderful Chardonnay wine not to be missed. Similarly the 2014 ‘Evergreen’ Riesling (WWB, 93) is one of the best Washington Rieslings out there. This has steely minerality despite coming from an exceedingly hot vintage. Do not miss the 2013 EFESTĒ ‘Big Papa’ Cabernet (WWB, 94) which comes in at a slightly higher price point but offers luxurious dark fruit flavors and an exceedingly dense mouthfeel. This is just an awesome special occasion Cabernet bottling. Learn more about these completely awesome wines at https://efeste.com Here are the gorgeous new wines by EFESTĒ

2015 EFESTĒ ‘Feral’ Sauvignon Blanc- Sourced from the Evergreen Vineyard (picked in late September), this was 98% native fermented in neutral French oak. This lovely wine opens with aromatics of beeswax, cantaloupe, grapefruit oil, and hints one green papaya. There are ripe flavors of white grapefruit, gooseberry, unripe pear and hints of white flowers. This shows a remarkable plush texture while maintaining wonderful minerality which is evident. This is a huge success in a hot vintage for white wines. Drink 2017-2022- 92

2014 EFESTĒ ‘Lola’ Chardonnay- This impressive Chardonnay was sourced from the Evergreen Vineyard and was fermented in French puncheons (20% new) that underwent 100% malolactic fermentation and monthly battonage. There are rich aromatics of butterscotch, bananas foster, creme brûlée, heavy whipping cream and hints of nutmeg and pineapple. Their are flavors of white peach, golden delicious apple, creme brulee, heavy whipping cream and ripe banana. The minerality and texture are lovely, as is the fruit weight. Drink 2017-2028- 94

2014 EFESTĒ ‘Evergreen’ Riesling- This wine was 100% stainless steel fermented, weighing in at .8% residual sugar. The wine begins with highly perfumed aromatics of allspice, Gala apple, apricot, wet rock and petrol elements. There are bright flavors of nectarine, Granny Smith apple, petrol, with intense minerality and candied ginger towards the end. This has an exceedingly long finish. You have to love the range of flavors and aromatics here. This is just an awesome wine by superstar winemaker Peter Devison. Drink 2017-2028- 93

2016 EFESTĒ ‘Oldfield’ Rose- This wonderful wine is a blend of 75% Mourvedre with 25 % Grenache which was aged in stainless steel, neutral oak and concrete which pressed together and co-fermented. The wine begins with pretty aromatics of white peach, strawberry, lemon oil, red cherry, red raspberry and rose petals. Lithe and light on its feet, this has flavors of wet rock, white peach, red cherry and strawberry with guava with hints of white grapefruit. This shows remarkable range and balance. Drink 2017-2022- 91

2013 EFESTĒ ‘Nana’ Red Wine- This wine is a silky and plush blend of 50% Merlot 40% Cabernet and 10% Cabernet Franc from the Red Willow Vineyard. This rich wine begins with aromatics of graphite, red cherry, black raspberry liquor, black olive, provencal herbs, showing impressive aromatic range and wonderful terroir. There are rich flavors of black cherry, red raspberry preserves, milk chocolate, creosote, and dried herbs. This has considerable fruit weight and intensity, with light tannins. There is a wonderful seamless quality to this excellent wine. Be sure to give this an hour decant if enjoying in its nascent phase. Drink 2017-2028- 93

2013 EFESTĒ ‘Big Papa’ Cabernet- This dense Cabernet wine is primarily sourced from 74% Red Mountain (74%) with some Red Willow Vineyard fruit as well. Fermented in 70% neutral French oak for 20 months, this dense and deep colored wine begins with aromatics of creme de cassis, milk chocolate, blueberry compote, black cherry, creosote, and sagebrush. There are intense flavors of creme de cassis, anise, blackberry pie, milk chocolate, blueberry pie and sagebrush with moderate tannins. Massive and broad shouldered, this is simply gorgeous. Try to give this another year to further develop in the bottle. This intense Cabernet wine will have an exceedingly long life and is nearly impossible to resist right now. Drink 2017-2030- 94

2013 EFESTĒ ‘Final Final’ Red Wine- This wine is a blend of Syrah and Cabernet and is an awesome follow up to the 2012 ‘Final Final.’ This inky colored wine was aged for 21 months in 50% new French oak. This begins with rich aromatics of black cherry and black olive with green peppercorn and black raspberry. There are flavors of black cherry preserves, green olive tapenade, bacon fat and Chinese black tea. This has wonderful minerality and texture, as well as a rich fruit weight. Drink 2017-2028- 92

2013 EFESTĒ ‘Jolie Bouche’ Syrah- Sourced from the Boushey Vineyard, this Syrah wine saw 16% new French oak for 15 months. This dense colored wine opens with beautiful aromatics of smoked brisket, citrus oil, blackberry preserves and roasted figs. This has rich flavors of blackberry cobbler, black cherry, black olive, graphite and roasted dates. This has massive weight and an absolutely marvelous texture. Seductive and dense, this will cellar beautifully into the next decade. Drink 2017-2027- 93

2013 EFESTĒ ‘Ceidleigh’ Syrah- This Syrah wine is sourced from 60% estate fruit and 27% from the Ciel du Cheval Vineyard with a touch of Klipsun Vineyard fruit. The ultra-dark wine begins with rich aromatics of wet stone, creosote, boysenberry liquor, green olive tapenade and milk chocolate shavings. The Syrah yields some rich flavors of wet gravel, blackberry cobbler, black cherry, sage, green peppercorn and moderate tannins. This is massive and completely delicious wine. Drink 2017-2027- 93

2013 EFESTĒ ‘Eleni’ Syrah- This is sourced from the oldest block in the Red Willow Vineyard. The wine begins with aromatics of loganberry preserves, black olive, umami, violets, black cherry and mocha. There are ripe flavors of graphite, boysenberry preserves, blueberry compote, Mandarin orange oil, and hints and black cherry pie. The minerality is intense and powerful, as the wine finishes with some moderate tannins. Drink 2017-2028- 93

2014 EFESTĒ ‘Estate’ Syrah- The wine club only Syrah wine comes from their estate, 18 acre vineyard, planted in 2007, that is located next to the Boushey Vineyard. This saw 60 days on the skins and was aged in second use French oak for 18 months. The wine opens with aromatics of smoked pork shoulder, black cherry, black olive, mint and hints of creosote. There are rich flavors of black cherry, black olive, mint, sagebrush, dark chocolate shavings, and marvelous fruit weight. Massive and tannic, this is an incredible wine that shows wonderful purity of fruit. This wine will be released in Spring 2018. Drink 2018-2030- 93

2014 EFESTE ‘Emmy’ Mourvedre- This is a blend of 88% Mourvedre and 12% Grenache which was sourced from the Stone Tree Vineyard. This wine begins with aromatics of provencal herbs, black cherry, anise, creme de cassis. orange blossom and black pepper. There are wonderful flavors of bulls blood, black cherry, black olive tapenade, mocha, mint and black raspberry liquor. This is intense and seductive, currently displaying pretty massive tannins. Drink 2017-2028- 93