Founded in 2004, Ambassador sources from their estate vineyard on Red Mountain. Under the expert eye of Dick Boushey, the Ambassador Vineyard is a warm site planted to a host of varietals, from Grenache to Cabernet Sauvignon. Ambassador has a tasting room in the Woodinville Warehouse District which is a wonderful spot to try their awesome range of wines. Sarah Goedhart serves as Ambassador winemaker. Ambassador also relies on the consulting talents of Tom Rinaldi, formerly with Provenance and Hewitt wineries in Napa.
Ambassador is developing a strong reputation for their sold white wine, not sourced from the Ambassador Vineyard but from another great vineyard in the Yakima Valley. The 2017 Ambassador Sauvignon Blanc (WWB, 91) has a marvelous texture and tension. This is a wonderful summer white wine that also carries a very reasonable price tag. I was impressed with the quality of the Grenache fruit from this vineyard and the latest release, the 2015 Ambassador ‘Estate’ Grenache (WWB, 92) has really good range and is unlike any Grenache in the state. Learn more about this great lineup of wines at http://www.ambassadorwinery.com Here are the new wines by Ambassador Wines of Washington
2017 Ambassador Rose- This limited production wine is comprised of both Syrah and Grenache. The highly perfumed nose hits you with guava, rose petals and red raspberry preserves. The weight and astringency here is simply outstanding. Fluid and lifted, the wine nicely combines citrus rind and red fruits alongside good tension. Drink 2018-2022- 90
2017 Ambassador Sauvignon Blanc- A blend of 78% Sauvignon Blanc and the remainder Semillon, this starts off with a bouquet of honeysuckle and lychee. The palate is ripe and lithe, showing off grapefruit, lychee, kumquat and orange zest flavors. This is seriously good. Drink 2018-2022- 91
2015 Ambassador ‘Estate’ Grenache- One of the intriguing wines made from Washington, the 2013 Ambassador ‘Estate’ Grenache starts off with a bouquet of rose petals, red cherry candy and suggestions of guava puree. The palate has a nice combination of weight and tension, with a silky texture. A touch of blood orange rind towards the back end completes this outstanding wine. Drink 2018-2028- 92
2013 Ambassador ‘Estate’ Syrah- This inky colored Syrah begins with aromas of mill chocolate, blackberry cobbler and suggestions of black tea. The palate is lithe and lush, showing a wonderful minerality. Dark berry and chocolate flavors mingle nicely. Drink 2018-2025- 91
2015 Ambassador ‘Estate’ Merlot- The nose is distinctly milk chocolate with dark berries mingling. The palate has good depth and richness. Creme de cassis, milk chocolate and roasted fig flavors entice. Lightly tannic, this will cellar beautifully over the next decade. Drink 2018-2028- 91
2015 Ambassador ‘Estate’ Cabernet Sauvignon- This deep colored wine begins with loganberry liquor and milk chocolate on the nose. The palate is rich showing nice cassis, blackberry and mocha flavors. Drink 2018-2026- 90
2015 Ambassador ‘Plentipotentiary’ Cabernet Sauvignon- A blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon with the remainder Merlot and cabernet Franc this begins with aromas of red bell pepper, chocolate and wild blackberry pie. The palate is both rich and lithe, showing dark currant, creme de cassis, coffee ground and blackberry flavors. Lightly tannic and rich, this will cellar well over the next decade. Drink 2018-2028- 91
2015 Ambassador ‘Estate’ Petit Verdot- An intriguing blend of 87% Petit Verdot and 13% Grenache, this great wine by Sarah Goedhart starts off with smoke and dried herbs with dark chocolate shavings. White pepper with dark berry flavors entice. Outstanding and truly novel, enjoy this rich and terroir-driven wine over the next decade. Drink 2018-2028- 92
2015 Ambassador ‘Diplomat’ Red Wine- A blend of largely Cabernet Sauvignon, this begins with aromas of blackberry pie, milk chocolate and baking spices. The palate is silky smooth, delivering blueberry, blackberry and mocha flavors. Downright delicious, this outstanding wine by Sarah Goedhart will cellar well for another decade. Drink 2018-2028- 92
2015 Ambassador ‘Envoy’ Red Wine- The ‘Envoy’ is a blend of 27% Merlot, 21% Petit Verdot, 17% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Malbec, 16% Cabernet Franc and 2% Syrah. This starts off with aromas of dill, red bell pepper, mocha and crushed mint. The palate shows good weight and length with dark cherry, loganberry and coffee ground flavors. Delicious and rich, this will cellar well over the next decade or so. Drink 2018-2028- 91
2015 Ambassador ‘Estate’ Malbec- This inky colored Malbec begins with aromas dark chocolate, roasted fig and hints of white pepper. The terroir is really lovely on the nose. Rich and layered, this has a really good combination of dark and blue fruits with good tension. Drink 2018-2028- 91