Travis Allen is a winemaker to watch. Last year I wrote about his really exciting new winery project, Kobayashi Winery, which brilliantly fuses new world and old world techniques in his winemaking. Formerly working as a nurse anesthetist, Travis got the urge to start Kobayashi because he wanted to see something new. Travis mentioned that he wanted to be different than the other winemakers in the state and that he did not particularly enjoy white wines in Washington but he feels that Rhone varietals perform best in Washington. Speaking to Travis he mentioned “What I am trying to do its make something different. There are some people making spectacular wine in Washington but all of my wines have something in the process or philosophy that is not necessarily invented by me but they are not going to be like anything else in the state.” Travis employed significant barrel rolling to his Cabernet Franc for texture, which is a laborious process that originated in France. He had his Cabernet Franc sit for six weeks on the skins as Travis stated “which gives you that soft mouthfeel and smooths out the tannins.” He also used some skin contact to craft his Viognier, adding “In making the Viognier I put some skins in the fermenting juice so there is some skin contact. It is not an orange wine but it extracts more phenolics and tannin.” Remarkably he has utilized the talents of Rhone legend Yves Gangloff to serve as consulting winemaker for his Kobayashi Viognier and the Syrah which will be released in 2020.
His two fall release wines were simply stunning across the board. The 2018 Kobayashi Viognier (WWB, 94) is one of the best new world Viognier wines that I have sampled this year. The combination of mouthfeel, bright acidity and tension that runs through the core of the wine is just exquisite. I was blown away with his 2017 Kobayashi Cabernet Franc (WWB, 95) which is a silky, seductive wine that is truly one of the best of its kind in the state. Learn more about this exciting new winery at https://kobayashiwinery.com Here are the great new release wines by Kobayashi.
2018 Kobayashi Winery Viognier- The 2018 Viognier by Kobayashi and the talented Travis Allen is a gorgeous effort that was entirely sourced from the WeatherEye Vineyard, perched high above Red Mountain. Needing more than a one hour decant to fully be aroused, the wine opens with a gorgeous bouquet of honeysuckle with lychee, Meyer lemon cream and shades of orange zest that all mingle together in the glass. Showing off a soft and inviting texture, this takes on an exotic appeal with its ripe cantaloupe, starfruit, kumquat and vanilla cream flavors that linger with a bright sense of minerality. Fantastic now, this beautiful wine will cellar well for the next decade. Tried in several stemware choices, this wine shows considerably better in a Riedel Pinot Noir glass at a warmer temperature. Drink 2019-2029- 94
2017 Kobayashi Cabernet Franc- The 2017 Kobayashi Cabernet Franc is a truly magical bottling which was sourced from the David Lake Block of the famed Red Willow Vineyard. Needing two hours in the decanter to be fully expressive, once awakened the wine slowly unveils wonderful aromatic range from sweet pipe tobacco to violets and graphite as well as lighter red bell pepper and sagebrush tones that all entice. The plush and stunning texture is downright sensational as the wine seamlessly glides across the mid-palate feeling almost weightless. Elegant, yet showing good richness, this one of a kind Cabernet Franc is showing beautifully now and will cellar well for the next fifteen years. Drink 2019-2035- 95