As we kick off Washington Wine Month, I want to introduce an excellent Woodinville winery known for awesome values, Gård Vintners has impressed with their latest set of releases. The winery was founded by brothers Sandy and John Lawrence, who have farmed the Royal Slope for more than 50 years, along with John’s son Josh, who joined the operation in 2002. The winery is managed by Josh and his wife, Lisa, who oversees sales and marketing, while Josh oversees the vineyard and other farm and orchard operations. Gård Vintnersrelies on the winemaking talents of Aryn Morell for their wines who took over in 2011. He has utilized his signature style in these bottling, as the wines show wonderful minerality and terroir.
Look for the 2016 Gård Vintners Rose (WWB, 91) which is a downright awesome wine that is done in the Provencale style and shows beautiful range and textural elements. Even better was the 2014 Gård Vintners ‘Grand Klasse Reserve’ Viognier (WWB, 92) which shows exotic elements and is a sterling value in Washington wine. Learn more about these wines at http://gardvintners.com/about.html Here are the great new wines by Gård Vintners.
2015 Gard 'Grand Klasse' Pinot Gris- This expressive Pinot Gris wine opens with a bright bouquet of starfruit, nectarine and suggestions of baking spices. The palate has lovely weight and structure considering the heat of the vintage. Beeswax, nectarine, ginger and nectarine flavors impress. Drink 2017-2023- 90
2015 Gard 'Grand Klasse' Riesling-This excellent Riesling wine has a touch of sweetness, weighing in at 1.3% residual sugar. This begins with aromatics of white peach, petrol, pink grapefruit leading to bright Granny Smith apple, green papaya, white flowers and nutmeg flavors. This has lovely balance and texture, showing off a long finish. Drink 2017-2022- 90
2016 Gard 'Freya' White Wine- This wine is a blend of Roussanne and Viognier which opens with a bouquet of white peach, white grapefruit, white flowers and suggestions of baking spices. There are lively flavors of starfruit, lemon blossom, white peach and gooseberry. The minerality is lovely to this great value white wine. Drink 2017-2022-90
2014 Gard 'Grand Klasse Reserve' Viognier- This wine was made in the richer style. Butter, white flower and honeydew melon aromatics lead to lovely minerality and texture on the mid-palate. Beeswax, white peach, pink grapefruit and cantaloupe flavors show wonderful weight and complexity, as this wine has an exotic side. Drink 2017-2022- 92
2014 Gard 'Grand Klasse Reserve' Roussanne- While the winemaker has noted that he does not particularly enjoy working with Roussanne, this is a marvelous effort by the talented Aryn Morrell. This wine opens with aromatics of brioche, nutmeg, butterscotch and suggestions of white peach. The weight and texture is marvelous. Nectarine, white flower and beeswax flavors show beautifully. This finishes long. Drink 2017-2022- 92
2016 Gard 'Grand Klasse' Rose- This wine opens with a bouquet of white flowers, red cherry and guava aromatics. The minerality is lovely which leads to bright flavors of white peach, white grapefruit, orange rind and red cherry. This is highly balanced and shows a wonderful feminine edge as this finishes long. Drink 2017-2021- 91
2015 Gard 'The Don' Red Wine- This is a blend of 60% Cabernet with 35% Syrah. The wine begins with aromatics of smoked brisket, black cherry, black olive and milk chocolate. This leads to ripe flavors of blackberry jam, black olive, mint and milk chocolate. Drink 2017-2022-89
2014 Gard 'Vaucluse' Red Wine- This inky colored wine is a downright gorgeous blend of Syrah and Grenache that has a touch of Viognier. Smoky aromatics impress. There are bright flavors reminiscent of black cherry, black olive, orange rind, smoked meats and white pepper. This is an awesome value and a wine that shows serious range. Drink 2017-2022- 91
2013 Gard 'Grand Klasse Reserve' Syrah- This deep colored Syrah wine begins with aromas of smoked pork shoulder, bulls blood, sagebrush and wet rock. The aromatics are lovely. This leads to flavors of blackberry jam, black tea, wild herbs and suggestions of milk chocolate and baking spices. This has some serious stuffing and will cellar beautifully for a decade or more. Drink 20-7-2027- 92