It is hard to believe that Rotie Cellars started twelve years ago in 2007. That was the same year I started my practice in psychology — not exactly optimal timing on either of our parts. Fun loving yet a highly serious winemaker, Sean Boyd makes a brilliant range of wines in his portfolio and has developed quite a following for his fantastic Rhone style wines. He has tasting rooms both in Walla Walla and in the SoDo District of Seattle. A really exciting development is he is starting a new tasting room in the Rocks District AVA (https://www.washingtonwine.org/tasting-rooms/rotie-rocks-estate-tasting-room/).
Sean is one of the great people in Washington wine. Hailing from from Tacoma, began working at Waters Winery in 2004 and after some time decided to start his own project. They have reds t added Proper Wines to their portfolio, as Sean crafts some gorgeous Syrah for them. The new 2018 Rotie Cellars ‘Southern White’ Red Wine (WWB, 92) has amazing verve and freshness with seriously good range. This is a wine that will pair marvelously with a host of lighter seafoods and shellfish. This is one for the cellar. Even better the 2017 Rotie Cellars ‘Northern Blend’ Red Wine (WWB, 94) is smoky, savory and has wonderful stony terroir from his vineyard in the Rocks AVA. Learn more about these outstanding wines at https://www.rotiecellars.com Here are the outstanding new release wines by Rotie Cellars.
2018 Rotie Cellars Rose-This beautiful new Rose by the talented Sean Boyd shows intense strawberry, watermelon and guava puree that amalgamate on the nose. The palate shows a good combination of bright acidity and sweetened red fruits with citrus rind tones that round out this excellent new Rose. The long finish adds to the enjoyment. While this may come off a touch sweet for some, the overall presentation from its range to finish is pretty impressive. Drink 2019-2024- 90
2018 Rotie Cellars ‘Southern White’ White WIne- The ‘Northern White’ is another fantastic release by superstar winemaker Sean Boyd. The wine begins with aromas of lychee with shades of nutmeg and Challah bred that all mingle together on the nose. The palate shows off a ton of freshness and intensity. Bright pear, lychee, starfruit and shades of vanilla cream all come together nicely on the palate. Enjoy this in the short-term while the great freshness remains. Drink 2019-2025- 92
2018 Rotie Cellars Grenache Blanc- This 100% Grenache Blanc wine was sourced from both the Columbia Valley and Walla Walla AVAs. The nose is quite lifted with intense green apple with star jasmine and nice wet stone character on this expressive nose. Gobs of mouth-watering acidity follow on the tongue as the wine shows off bright acidity and minerals with green melon and shades of Key lime flavors. This is fantastic stuff by the talented Sean Boyd. Drink 2019-2025- 92
2018 Rotie Cellars ‘Northern White’ White Wine- The ‘Northern White’ is a silly blend of 68% Viognier with 20% Roussanne and 12% Marsanne all sourced from the Walla Walla AVA. The nose takes on toasty brioche with shades of cantaloupe and green papaya that all mingle together in the glass. The soft texture really entices here as the wine slowly unveils bright cantaloupe with vanilla cream and shades of Macadamia nut on the palate. Drink 2019-2025- 92
2016 Rotie Cellars ‘Little G’ Grenaceh- The ‘Little G’ Grenache is another stunning wine by this talented winemaking team at Rotie. On the nose this takes on bright red fruits with stony undertones. The palate is remarkably pure, showing bright guava puree, red currant jelly, cigar ash and shades of wet stone that all sing in harmony on the palate. The weight and beam of salinity really entice. While a delight to savor now, this beautiful wine will cellar well for a decade. Drink 2019-2029- 93
2017 Rotie Cellars ‘Southern Blend’ Red Wine- The ‘Sotuhern Blend’ is a great combination of 70% Grenache with 20% Mourvedre and 10% Syrah that all shine brightly together. The aromatics are very pretty with red rose petals that collide with smoked meats, bulls blood and shades of blood orange zest on this beautiful nose. The freshness, energy, weight and length of the wine is really outstanding. Red cherry candy, pipe tobacco, smoked pork shoulder and orange zest flavors all mingle together on the palate. While a delight to savor in its youth, this marvelously textured wine will cellar well over the next decade. Drink 2019-2029- 93
2017 Rotie Cellars ‘Northern Blend’ Red Wine- The 2017 ‘Northern Blend’ is a compelling melange of 95% Syrah with 5% Viognier all sourced from their estate vineyard in the Walla Walla Rocks AVA. This begins with wonderful stony character on the nose that combines with blood orange cordial, red cherry preserves and shades of green olive tapenade that all blend marvelously together. The soft, silky texture is stunning. Black olive, exotic spices, Mandarin orange rind and wet stone with minerals all really sing in the glass. A delight to savor now, this beautiful effort will cellar well for a decade or more. Drink 2019-2029- 94
2016 Rotie Cellars ‘Dre’ Red Wine- The ‘Dre’ is a limited production 100% Mourvedre wine by Rotie Cellars. Bright red fruits combine with creosote and shades of black truffle that all combine together nicely in the glass. The silky texture really entices. Black fruits mingle with creosote and shades of black olive tapenade on the palate. Rich and layered, this is a fantastic effort. Drink 2019-2029- 93