One of the excellent value producers of Washington that you may have never tried, Gård Vintners 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. Currently Josh, Lisa and a host of others are petitioning to have the Royal Slope region become its own AVA as the wines from this terroir are quite different than those from nearby Wahluke Slope and other regions. Gård Vintners relies on the winemaking talents of Aryn Morell for their wines who has been at the helm since 2011. Aryn's wines show wonderful minerality and terroir. He is highly precise and methodical in his winemaking, having a science background which really helps craft great wines even in challenging vintages.
Look for the 2018 Gård Vintners Rose (WWB, 91) is a stunning Rose wine that has incredible precision and balance, with a smooth texture. A fantastic value consistently, the 2018 Gård Vintners ‘Freyja’ White Wine (WWB, 91) delivers a sensational value for Washington white wine. Learn more about these wines at http://gardvintners.com/about.html Here are the great new wines by Gård Vintners.
2018 Gard ‘Grand Klasse’ Rose- The 2018 ‘Grand Klasse’ Rose is a blend of Lawrence Vineyard Grenache with just a hint of Mourvedre. On the nose this silky wine takes on bright red fruit and citrus rind tones with light stony character that build in the glass. The texture imparted is every bit outstanding, as is the delicate red fruit flavors leading to the long, creamy and mineral-driven finish. Drink 2019-2023- 91
2018 Gard ‘Freyja’ White Wine- The ‘Freyja’ was sourced from the Lawrence Vineyard as the wine is a blend of Viognier (53%) with the reminder Roussanne. The notes from the Roussanne shows wonderful baking spices that mingle with kiwi and starfruit aromas that all build in the glass. The freshness is gorgeous as is the silky texture and elegance to the wine. Bright kiwi and cantaloupe flavors connect with minerals and shades of green apple flavors. Drink 2019-2023- 91
2016 Gard ‘Grand Klasse’ Riesling- The ‘Grand Klasse’ Riesling was aged in a combination of one new 500L puncheon as well as used French oak puncheons prior to bottling. The nose shows wonderful petrol character and comes out with a lovely texture from the oak treatment. Green apple and nutmeg with lemon zest flavors all mingle nicely with minerals on the palate. Drink 2019-2023- 91
2016 Gard ‘Grand Klasse Reserve’ Viognier- The 2016 “Grand Klasse Reserve’ Viognier shows beautiful white peach with shades of nutmeg and kumquat on the expressive nose. The freshness and texture to the wine is really good. Bright nectarine and kiwi flavors mingle with minerals and baked apple on the palate. Drink 2019-2023- 90
2016 Gard ‘Contact’ Riesling- The wine was aged on the skins for 1.5 years in a new puncheon and then the‘Contact’ Riesling was aged for 11 months in neutral French oak prior to bottling. The nose shows gooseberry with shades of nutmeg and baked apple aromas. The mouthfeel entices and marvelously coats the mid-palate. Showing good freshness the wine unveils melon, ripe Pazzaz apple and nutmeg flavors that collide with minerals. While outstanding in its youth, this will cellar well for a decade. Drink 2019-2029- 92
2016 Gard ‘The Don’ Red Wine- The 2016 ‘The Don’ is a really great value wine by Gard. On the nose this shows good smoky character with black tea and exotic spices aromatically. The freshness of the wine is really good as this connect with a silky texture. Rich black fruits mingle with black tea and red bell pepper flavors. Drink 2019-2025- 90
2016 Grad Cabernet Franc- Sourced from the Solaksen Vineyard, the wine was aged in 33% new French oak for 26 months prior to bottling. The nose shows good herbal tones with red bell pepper and dried sagebrush that mingle with blackberry pie on the nose. The freshness is really good with soft black fruit flavors. Drink 2019-2029- 91
2016 Gard Cabernet Sauvignon- The wine was aged in 63% new French oak prior to bottling. Black tea and blackberry pie with dried herbs fill the nose. The palate shod a good combination of freshness and richness with dark cherry, blackberry pie, mocha and sagebrush tones. Drink 2019-2025- 90
2016 Gard ‘Grand Klasse Reserve’ Cabernet Sauvignon-Darker in color than their entry level Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2016 ‘Grand Klasse Reserve’ opens with black tea, creosote and shades of blackberry cobbler that all build in the glass. The wine shows good mid-palate richness and a soft texture, unveiling black tea, exotic spices and blackberry pie flavors. Drink 2019-2029- 91
2016 Gard ‘Winemaker Select’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The ‘Winemaker Select’ is a new line of wines by Gard. On the nose this takes on milk chocolate with creme de cassis and shades of blackberry cobbler on the nose. The palate is plush, delivering dense blackberry and milk chocolate flavors with shades of asphalt and Asian spices. Drink 2019-2029- 92
2016 Gard Grenache- The Gard Grenache was aged for 19 months in French puncheons prior to bottling. Translucent in color, this opens with bright red fruits with shades of citrus rind herbal accents on the nose. The palate is plush, delivering high toned guava and red cherry flavors with sagebrush undertones. This is seriously good for the price. Drink 2019-2025- 91
2016 Gard ‘Vaucluse’ Red Wine- The ‘Vaucluse’ is another outstanding wine by Gard. The herbal tones on the nose here are outstanding. Black fruits mingle with creosote and dried herbs that all flood the palate. The freshness here is really good. Outstanding now this will age well for a decade, Drink 2019-2029- 91
2016 Gard ‘Thunderstone’ Syrah- Sourced from the Scarline Vineyard, this Syrah is a refined and highly complex wine by superstar winemaker Aryn Morell. On the nose there is wonderful salted meats with smoky and creosote tones on the nose. The freshness and salinity of the wine is really fantastic as dark fruits mingle with minerals and black olive tapenade flavors. Drink 2019-2029- 92
2016 Gard ‘Grand Klasse Reserve’ Syrah- The 2016 ‘Grand Klasse Reserve’ Syrah is a terrific effort that opens with beautiful smoky tones that mingle with black tea, exotic spices and blackberry pie on the nose. The palate shows good freshness and richness with black tea, blackberry pie and shades of dried sagebrush. Drink 2019-2029- 91
2016 Gard ‘Winemaker’s Select’ Syrah- The ‘Winemaker’s Select’ Syrah is a beautiful new wine by Aryn Morell. The nose shows really good range from green olive tapenade to bacon fat, and creosote with dark currant aromas that all build in the glass. The palate is plush, delivering Asian spices, black olive, cured meats and blackberry cobbler flavors. Drink 2019-2029- 92