EFESTE

As we continue on through Washington Wine Month we bring you one of the outstanding producers out of Woodinville. Less than a year ago I ran into EFESTĒ winemaker, Mark Fiore, at a Seahawks game. Naturally we talked wine and as I sipped my Rose, I couldn’t help thinking that Mark’s Rose was better than the one I was enjoying. EFESTĒ has produced consistently good wines for more than a decade and also boasts one of the most popular (and fun) wine clubs in Washington State. 

Mark Fiore, formerly with K Vintners, is crafting some beautiful wines at EFESTE. A former PGA Professional, Mark worked two harvest seasons at Beresan and Balboa wineries, which led him to an all-encompassing job with Charles Smith Wines in August of 2011. Mark began making wine for K Vintners and then worked on other projects such as Sixto, Latta Wines, Wines of Substance and B Leighton in Walla Walla and Seattle. He is a delightful guy to chat wine with and has made some outstanding wines across the board for EFESTĒ  were gorgeous across the board. Look to their gorgeous new 2018 EFESTĒ ‘Oldfield Estate’ Rose (WWB, 92) which was one of the top Rose wines on my 2019 Pacific Northwest Rose Report. This wine has amazing texture and delicate red fruits with gobs of acidity. I absolutely loved their 2016 EFESTĒ ‘Big Papa’ Cabernet Sauvignon (WWB, 96) which is deep, rich and has tremendous aging potential. Learn more about these outstanding new wines at https://efeste.com Here are the gorgeous new wines by EFESTĒ

2018 EFESTĒ ‘Oldfield Estate’ Rose- The 2018 ‘Oldfield Estate’ Rose is a simply stunning new bottling by the talented Mark Fiore. On the nose this takes on beautiful citrus blossom with  green papaya and watermelon notes that come together marvelously in the glass. The Rose combines fantastic minerality with a silky texture that entices on the palate. Bright citrus rind with red fruits dominate the palate. An outstanding effort, this fantastic new release will be best enjoyed over the next five plus years. Drink 2019-2024- 92

2018 EFESTĒ ‘Feral’ Sauvignon Blanc- This was sourced entirely from the Evergreen Vineyard. The wine was fermented in one concrete egg as well as a stainless tank. The nose shows good gooseberry and cantaloupe aromas that all combine nicely in the glass. The palate shows really good texture and mouthfeel with good brightness. The palate shows good freshness with melon and gooseberry with an exceedingly long finish. Drink 2019-2024- 91

2017 EFESTĒ ‘Lola’ Chardonnay- Sourced from the Evergreen Vineyard in the Ancient Lakes AVA, the 2017 ‘Lola’ opens with bright lemon infused brioche and creme brûlée aromatic notes that fill the glass. The palate is exceedingly good with wonderful texture and balance. Lemon curd, wild mushroom and vanilla creme brûlée flavors all marvelously combine on the palate. Drink 2019-2029- 92

2016 EFESTĒ ‘Emmy’ Red Wine- A blend of largely Mourvedre (70%) with equal parts Syrah (15%)  and Grenache (15%), the wine opens with smoked brisket with orange zest and shades of red currant that all build in the glass. The texture here is seriously good and satisfying with bright red fruits, citrus zest and an exceedingly long finish. Drink 2019-2029- 93

2016 EFESTĒ ‘Eleni’ Syrah- Sourced from Red Willow Vineyard in the Yakima Valley AVA, one of these blocks for the wine was planted in 1986 while another was planted back in 1991. Floral tones mark the nose with brilliant red fruits and a touch of tobacco leaf. The palate has gobs of acidity, showing bright red fruits that dance with minerals and herbal undertones that all collide in the mouth. Complex in its youth this will satisfy for the next decade or more. Drink 2019-2029- 92

2016 EFESTĒ ‘Ceidleigh’ Syrah- All sourced from the Red Mountain AVA, this  100% Syrah wine opens with smoky tones with bacon fat and rich dark fruits that all fill this beautiful nose. The palate has really good freshness with a wonderful savory character on the palate. The touch of salinity really offers pleasure. Rich and layered, with bright acidity this beautiful new Syrah will cellar well for a decade or more. Drink 2019-2029- 93

2016 EFESTĒ ‘Jolie Bouche’ Syrah- The ‘Jolie Bouche’ is entirely sourced from the Boushey Vineyard in the Yakima Valley. The wine opens with aromas of copious dark and red fruits with tobacco leaf and shades of blood orange that all collide in the glass, The palate has light tannins that line this beautiful wine that comes off as Northern Rhone with its herbal tones and bright acidity. The soft texture with toasty accents really entices. While this is outstanding in its youth, the ‘Jolie Bouche’ can be savored for a decade or more. Drink 2019-2029- 93

2016 EFESTĒ ‘Estate’ Syrah- Sourced from one of the exciting vineyards on Red Mountain the ‘Estate’ Syrah is another outstanding EFESTĒ release. The nose is really seductive and hedonistic with deep dark and blue fruits with roasted figs and milk chocolate that all permeate in the glass. The palate unveils a wonderfully rich texture as dark fruits connect with chocolate shavings and allspice on the palate. Beautiful in its youth, and showing good freshness at this juncture, this outstanding Syrah will continue to evolve well for a decade or more. Drink 2019-2033- 93

2016 EFESTĒ ‘Final Final’ Red Wine- The ‘Final Final’ is a compelling blend of 50% Syrah with 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, this inky colored wine opens with aromas of smoke, black cherry cordial and shades of licorice that all build in the glass. The palate unveils a plush and soft mouthfeel. Downright delicious flavors of black tea and black fruits collide with chocolate undertones. With a good combination of verve and richness, enjoy this great wine over the next decade. Drink 2019-2029- 92

2016 EFESTĒ ‘Big Papa’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2016 ‘Big Papa’ Cabernet Sauvignon is another sensational release by the talented Mark Fiore. Sourced mainly from the Kiona, Red Willow, Bacchus and Sagemoor Vineyards, the ‘Big Papa’ opens with beautiful sagebrush, black fruit and mocha tones that fill the glass. The palate is plush, delivering copious blue and dark fruit flavors with wonderful earthy undertones. Seductive, yet polished, this is exceedingly good in its youth and will show well for decades. Drink 2019-2035- 93

2016 EFESTĒ ‘Taylor Mag’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Sourced from their estate Red Mountain vineyard near the Upchurch Vineyard, this wine is entirely sold to restaurants and wine shops. The nose is decadent Wirth dark fruits that parade with mum chocolate and shades of roasted dates and sagebrush accents, The palate is dense and layered with a wonderful mouthfeel. A line of salinity runs through the rich dark fruit and chocolate flavors. This is a seriously good value. Drink 2019-2029- 92

2016 EFESTĒ Petite Verdot- The 2016 EFESTĒ Petit Verdot is entirely sourced from their estate Taylor Mag vineyard in the Red Mountain AVA. On the nose this delivers nice herbal tones with green bell pepper and sage with white pepper and dark fruits on the nose. Only three barrels made of this wine. The wine is generous and polished with denser black fruits that connect with the herbal tones in the glass. This is sensational now but will evolve well for the next fifteen years. Drink 2019-2035- 93