A storied Washington winery with a great history, it is quite remarkable that ten generations of the Bookwalter family have been involved in American agriculture. Jerry Bookwalter, generation nine and father of current company president John Bookwalter, decided to venture into viticulture. A UC-Davis grad, Jerry spent 13 years farming in California’s San Joaquin Valley before moving his family in 1976 to the Tri-Cities in Washington State. From 1976 through 1982, Jerry helped manage the plantings of three famed Washington vineyards – Sagemoor, Bacchus and Dionysus. He eventually became vineyard manager of the Conner Lee Vineyard and in 1982, he started J. Bookwalter Winery.
John Bookwalter had a 10-year sales and marketing career with E&J Gallo, Winterbrook Beverage Group and Coors Brewing Co before returning to Richland in 1997 to focus on his family winery.
Since 2014 Caleb Foster has served as head winemaker. Formerly the winemaker at Buty, Caleb is a fellow Whitman graduate who began his winemaking career in 1991 with Woodward Canyon and spent eight years with the well-known Walla Walla winery, eventually becoming assistant winemaker and director of operations. He spent one vintage at Ste. Michelle Wine Estates before joining Buty. HIs new wines were beautiful across the board. Look to his 2017 J. Bookwalter ‘Double Plot’ Chardonnay (WWB, 91) which has gorgeous texture and a wonderful brightness from this exciting vintage for white wines in Washington. I absolutely adored the 2016 J. Bookwalter ‘Chapter 9 Reserve’ Cabernet Sauvignon (WWB, 93) which has stunning depth and richness. Learn more about this historic Washington winery at https://www.bookwalterwines.com Here are my reviews of the beautiful new J. Bookwalter wines.
2018 J. Bookwalter ‘Readers’ Chardonnay- The ‘Readers’ Chardonnay has 20% Viognier blended in, as this was entirely aged in stainless steel prior to bottling. The nose suggests starfruit and kiwi that mingle with vanilla cream tones in the glass. The freshness of thew wine really drives this, as the soft texture adds to the enjoyment. Enjoy this in the short-term while the brightness remains. Drink 2019-2023- 89
2017 J. Bookwalter ‘Double Plot’ Chardonnay- Sourced from the Connor-Lee Vineyard, the 2017 ‘Double Plot’ Chardonnay leads with its soft texture and good ripeness that combines with the tension that runs through the core of the wine. Ripe citrus zest infused Challah bread and shades of Japanese apple combine with the brightness. Fantastic now, this will evolve well over the next decade. Drink 2019-2026- 91
2017 J. Bookwalter ‘1st Edition’ White Wine- The ‘1st Edition’ is a beautiful blend of 75% Semillon with 17% Sauvignon Blanc and the remainder Muscadelle which were all sourced from the Connor-Lee Vineyard. The aromatic range is really good from lychee and green apple to shades of cloves and nutty undertones that all take their shape in the glass. The weight is seriously eye-catching as this elegant wine shows a seamless quality, effortlessly gliding across the mid-palate. The long and highly gratifying finish completes this beautiful bottling. Drink 2019-2029- 93
2019 J. Bookwalter ‘Couse Creek Vineyard’ Rose- This Rose made from Pinot Noir grapes underwent cool carbonic fermentation for two weeks on the skins. Bubblegum and shades of red cherry candy fill the nose. The texture is really nice as delicate red fruit flavors dance with shades of rose water and orange peel. This is really novel, well-made wine by the talented Caleb Foster. Drink 2019-2023- 90
2016 J. Bookwalter ‘Readers’ Merlot- The 2016 ‘Readers’ Merlot was aged for eighteen months in 100% new French oak before bottling and has 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Malbec blended in. The wine is quite forward with its ripe black fruit flavors, with suggestions of espresso bean and tar. This is a great value that is best enjoyed over the next five to seven years. Drink 2019-2023- 89
2018 J. Bookwalter Syrah- Inky once in the glass, the 2018 Syrah shows tar and anise aromas that meld with rich black fruits. The palate has good weight and density with intense blackberry compote, mocha, creosote and baking spice flavors. Downright delicious now, this will evolve well over the next seven plus years. Drink 2019-2026- 91
2016 J. Bookwalter ‘Protagonist’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2016 ‘Protagonist’ was sourced from the Connor-Lee Vineyard as the wine utilizes Cabernet Sauvignon blocks planted in 1991, 1988 and 1987. The silky texture of the wine is fantastic as this seamlessly glides across the mid-palate. A dusting of cocoa powder falls over black cherry cordial and wild blackberry pie flavors on the palate. Beautiful now, this fantastic 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon will cellar well for the next fifteen years. Drink 2019-2033- 92
2016 J. Bookwalter ‘Suspense’ Cabernet Franc- The ‘Suspense’ is a silky blend of 85% Cabernet Franc with the remainder Merlot that was entirely sourced from the Connor-Lee Vineyard. Pretty red bell pepper and red rose petals align with ripe red fruits on this beautiful nose. The palate has wonderful purity of fruit with lively acidity and a silky, highly gratifying texture. While outstanding in its youth, this will evolve well over the next ten to fifteen years. Drink 2019-2033- 93
2016 J. Bookwalter ‘Conflict’ Red Wine- The ‘Conflict’ is a melange of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon with 48% Merlot and a dash of Malbec. Ripe red fruits dance with shades of anise and herbal undertones that take form in the glass. The palate has good freshness and minerality with medium-bodied red and dark fruit flavors, with a touch of milk chocolate. Drink 2019-2029- 91
2016 J. Bookwalter ‘Reserve Volume Six’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The ‘Reserve Volume Six’ is entirely sourced from the Dionysus Vineyard (Block 18) in the Columbia Valley. The wines was aged for eighteen months in 75% new French oak before bottling. Sagebrush tones mingle with cigar ash, blackberry jelly and suggestions of black tea aromatics that all take their shape in the glass. The palate has great power and weight with intense blackberry cobbler, mocha, sagebrush and tar flavors. Lightly tanning and showing good structure and finesse, the ‘Reserve Volume Six’ Cabernet Sauvignon will cellar well for decades to come. Drink 2019-2038- 93
2016 J. Bookwalter ‘Chapter 9 Reserve’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The ‘Chapter 9’ Cabernet Sauvignon is a spectacular effort by the talented Caleb Foster of J. Bookwalter. Sourced from old vine Cabernet Sauvignon from the Connor-Lee Vineyard, the wine was aged for 80% new French oak for twenty months prior to bottling. Once aroused, this awakens to gorgeous exotic spices that mingle with boysenberry pie and red bell pepper that take their shape in the glass. The freshness and verve of the wine is gorgeous as ripe black fruits mingle with tar, smoke, red bell pepper and Turkish coffee flavors. Highly gratifying in its youth, this intense yet elegant Cabernet Sauvignon will cellar well for the next twenty years. Drink 2019-2038- 93