One of the historic vineyards in Washington State, set in the Yakima Valley, the DuBrul Vineyard was planted by some great people in Washington wine, Dr. Hugh and Kathy Shiels. This incredible vineyard has both Bordeaux varietals, as well as Syrah, Chardonnay and Riesling. The Shiels daughter, Kerry, is one of the great winemakers in Washington. Kerry received her Masters degree in Viticulture and Enology from U.C. Davis, then assumed the winemaker title in August, 2009. She has been immersed in DuBrul Vineyard and Côte Bonneville since 2005, under Stan Clarke’s tutelage and Co Dinn’s mentorship.
Do not miss out on her new wines. An awesome follow-up to her stunning 2016 bottling, the 2017 Côte Bonneville Rose (WWB, 92) is elegant and rich, showing very pretty flavors and aromatics. Kerry has a wonderful handle on Chardonnay as I feel that her Chardonnay wines are typically some of the best made in the state. Her 2015 Côte Bonneville Chardonnay (WWB, 93) shows a dazzling array of richness and minerality with a silky texture. Learn more about this outstanding Washington winery at http://www.cotebonneville.com Here is the outstanding new lineup by Côte Bonneville.
Great photo here of the Shiels family in their DuBrul Vineyard.
2017 Côte Bonneville Rose- This Cabernet Franc Rose is the follow up to the absolutely outstanding 2016 bottling. The nose is highly perfumed with red rose and guava puree with bright strawberry. Lithe and rich on the palate, this shows off lovely watermelon, strawberry and a touch of citrus rind flavors. Delicious and highly poised, this is a stunning new wine by superstar winemaker Kerry Shiels. Drink 2018-2022- 92
2015 Côte Bonneville Chardonnay- The wine was aged for 17 months in French oak prior to bottling, as the wine saw extended battonage. This starts off with heady aromatics of brioche, toasty oak and butterscotch. The texture to this wine is truly outstanding. Showing nice poise the wine unveils bright pear, Pazzaz apple, starfruit and nutmeg flavors. This shows really good balance considering the heat of the vintage. Drink 2018-2028- 93
2012 Côte Bonneville ‘Carriage House’ Red Wine- The wine is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon with the remainder Merlot and Cabernet Franc. This translucent wine starts off with aromas of red cherry, rose water and baking spices with loganberry jam. Delicious and pretty, with a wonderful texture, the wine shows off red cherry preserves, red raspberry cordial, wild thyme and a touch of milk chocolate towards the back end. This is drinking marvelously and is highly poised as there is a wonderful purity of fruit here. Drink 2018-2028- 92
2014 Côte Bonneville Syrah- Light in color considering the varietal, this begins with rich aromas of dark cherry, smoke and milk chocolate. The palate is rich and lithe showing a wonderful mouthfeel. Dark cherry, milk chocolate, cigar box and Asian spice flavors complete this fantastic bottling. Drink 2018-2026- 92
2010 Côte Bonneville ‘Côte Bonneville’ Red Wine- This outstanding wine begins with pretty red fruit aromatics with a touch of dark currant on the nose. The sexy and pillowy texture entices. Red cherry, boysenberry cordial and milk chocolate flavors sit alongside some lovely minerality. This has such a wonderful sense of place and is a truly outstanding effort by superstar winemaker Kerry Shiels. Drink 2018-2030- 93
2017 Côte Bonneville Riesling- The 2017 Côte Bonneville Riesling shows very pretty and fragrant aromatics of honey, petrol and star jasmine. The palate has a touch of sweetness, showing off marzipan, candied kumquat and Japanese pear flavors. This is an outstanding effort that has both great weight and minerality. Drink 2018-2025- 92