As we continue our journey through Washington Wine Month we bring you one of the few estate focused wineries on Red Mountain. Ambasador was started in 2004, and was named after their vineyard, Ambassador’s vision is to become the top estate producing winery on Washington state's Red Mountain. The Ambassador Vineyard is under the guidance of esteemed vineyard manager Dick Boushey, one of the state’s best. Sarah Goedhard serves as winemakerSarah has a longstanding history in the Washington wine industry as her parents started Hedges Cellars in 1986. Sarah grew up working in the vineyard and winery. She attended the University of San Diego and graduated with a degree in business and philosophy. From 2003 to 2005 she worked for Preston Vineyards in Healdsburg, Sonoma County, doing wine production work. Sarah has a degree in enology from Washington State University and together with her husband own a small Red Mountain winery, Goedhart Family. Ambassador also relies on the consulting talents of Tom Rinaldi, formerly with Provenance and Hewitt wineries in Napa.
Photo here of Sarah Goedhart, winemaker of Ambassador.
I recently had the chance to run through the solid new lineup of Ambassador wines and was impressed what they did in the warm vintages. Look to their brand new 2016 Ambassador ‘Boushey Vineyard’ Sauvignon Blanc (WWB, 91) which has wonderful poise and texture, showing off one of the best vineyards for white wine in the state, the Boushey Vineyard. In their red wine lineup I was impressed with the overall quality across the board, especially the 2014 Ambassador ‘Estate’ Cabernet Sauvignon (WWB, 92) which shows wonderful dark fruits and a rich texture. Learn more about these excellent wines at http://www.ambassadorwinery.com Here are the great new wines by Ambassador Wines of Washington
2016 Ambassador ‘Boushey Vineyard’ Sauvignon Blanc- This awesome Sauvignon Blanc is a blend of 78% Sauvignon Blanc with 22% Semillon. Toasted hazelnuts, brioche, wet rock and cut grass aromas entice. The mouthwatering acidity immediately catches your attention, as does vibrant gooseberry, Granny Smith apple and unripe pear flavors. This is an outstanding wine made by Ambassador. Crisp, complex and refreshing, this is one of the better Sauvignon Blanc wines that I have sampled in the past year out of Washington. Drink 2017-2022- 91
2015 Ambassador ‘Boushey Vineyard’ Sauvignon Blanc- This Sauvignon Blanc wine was co-fermented with a touch of Semillon. The wine begins with a bright bouquet of cantaloupe, brioche and lemon zest. The wine shows some excellent acidity, showing medium weight flavors of Gravenstein apple, kiwi, pink grapefruit and honeydew melon. This impresses from a challenging vintage for white wine in Washington. Drink 2017-2021-90
2014 Ambassador Grenache- Translucent in color, this wine begins with a bright bouquet of red cherry, red currant and prune. The plush mouthfeel impresses, as dark fruits collide with red fruits alongside strong minerality. The texture impresses and wonderfully coats the mid-palate. Enjoy this lovely wine over the next decade. Drink 2017-2026- 91
2014 Ambassador ‘Plentipotentiary’ Syrah- This inky colored, 100% Syrah, opens with dense aromas of smoked meats, tar, black cherry compote and black olive. The mouthfeel is lush, showing black olive tapenade, smoked brisket, and black cherry liquor flavors. The fruit weight shows off this warm vintage wine. This will cellar well into the next decade. Drink 2017-2026- 91
2014 Ambassdor Merlot- Ambassador head winemaker Sarah Goedhart has blended in 14% Petit Verdot and 9% Cabernet Franc to this Merlot. This wine shows off a deep core, leading to roasted fig, black cherry, cassis and sage aromas. The smooth mouthfeel glides through the mid-palate as the wine yields black fruit flavors alongside smoke and minerals with baking spices. Enjoy this great Merlot with a juicy burger. Drink 2017-2026- 90
2014 Ambasador ‘Envoy’ Red Wine- The 2014 Ambassador ‘Envoy’ is a silky blend of 33% Merlot, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18.5% Cabernet Franc, 14% Syrah and 1.5% Petit Verdot. Highly perfumed and downright delicious aromatics of black tea, black currant, mocha and baking spices entice. The silky texture is lovely, as is the varietal balance. Black fruit flavors mingle with coffee grounds, wet earth and lively minerality. This will cellar well for a decade or more. Drink 2017-2027- 91
2014 Ambassador ‘Plentipotentiary’ Cabernet Sauvignon- This wine is a blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. Sagebrush, red cherry, red currant and coffee ground aromatics are at play. This wine has great poise and balance, as red fruits mingle with dark fruits and dried herbs. This wine would make a wonderful glass pour at a classy steakhouse. Drink 2017-2027- 91
2014 Ambassador ‘Estate’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2014 ‘Estate’ Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon with 23% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot. Showing off its dark core, the black fruit aromatics evolve in the glass alongside sagebrush and white pepper elements. The smoothness of the Merlot shows nicely now and balances out the intensity of the Cabernet as flavors of blackberry pie, black currant and spice box persist alongside nice minerality. Drink 2017-2028- 92
2014 Ambassador ‘Sunset Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- This deep colored Cabernet opens with a bouquet of Chinese black tea, mocha and creme de cassis. Focused and poised, the wine delivers cassis, anise, Turkish coffee and baking spice flavors that sit alongside light tannins. Downright delicious, this wine will continue to evolve over a decade or more. If enjoying young, try to give this excellent Cabernet a two hour decant. Drink 2017-2028- 92