Liminal Wine

An unabashed terroir junkie, I love great new winery projects that showcase a great vineyard. In a short amount of time the ‘WeatherEye Vineyard’ has become one of the hallowed sites in Washington State viticulture. The vineyard itself is perched on the windswept ridgeline of Red Mountain in Washington State and is planted to 30 acres of Rhône, Bordeaux, and Spanish varieties. Quite diverse, the vineyard ranges from 950’ to 1410’ of elevation, and has extreme slopes and soils ranging from dune sand to fractured bedrock basalt. The talented Ryan Johnson serves as vineyard manager, having previously managed the esteemed Ciel du Cheval Vineyard for 15 years

Liminal wines sought to focus on this individual vineyard, using superstar winemaker Chris Peterson of Avennia fame, to craft these single vineyard, sometimes single block wines. Chris sees the ‘WeatherEye Vineyard’ as ‘the new frontier’ and I would agree that the terroir captured in these wines is really extraordinary. I was blown away with the 2018 Liminal ‘WeatherEye Vineyard’ Viognier (OB, 94) which has tremendous tension and is silky smooth throughout. This is one of the great Viognier wines made in Washington. Even better was the pillowy 2018 Liminal ‘WeatherEye Vineyard’ Grenache (OB, 95) which shows good density but also a lithe sense of minerality and really good range. Elegant and vibrant, this will enjoy another ten plus years ahead of it. Finally, I wanted to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Marty Taucher and Chris Peterson on this exceptional new wine project. It isn’t easy starting a project winery like Liminal let along being a pioneering force upon release, so kudus to you both and your vision. Learn more at https://www.liminalwine.com Here are the beautiful new wines by Liminal Wines. 

2018 Liminal ‘WeatherEye Vineyard’ Viognier- The 2018 ‘WeatherEye Vineyard’ Viognier is a stunning effort by the talented Chris Peterson. Honeysuckle and pear tones collide with smoky minerals and shades of orange blossom that all take shape in the glass. The palate is fresh and beautifully textured. Smooth throughout the drinking experience this effortlessly glides across the mid-palate. Vanilla cream and toasted hazelnut tones combine with ripe banana and mango tones giving this plenty of exotic appeal. Dense, with great viscosity, I can see this cellaring well for another eight years. Drink 2020-2027- 94

2018 Liminal ‘WeatherEye Vineyard’ Grenache- Sourced from this site high atop Red Mountain, the 2018 ‘WeatherEye Vineyard’ Grenache was aged for sixteen months in neutral puncheons and barriques before bottling. Pretty red rose petals mingle with orange rind, red cherry candy and underbrush tones on the nose. The palate is silky smooth, giving off an incredible sense of elegance. Lithe and light on its feet, this dances across the mid-palate delivering red rose water and cran-orange tones alongside a wonderful veil of tension and lighter damp earth and garrigue undertones. The seamless texture and gratifying length really add to the drinking experience as this beautiful wine has another decade or more ahead of it. Drink 2020-2032- 95

2018 Liminal ‘WeatherEye Vineyard GSM’ Red Wine- The ‘GSM’ is a compelling blend of 42% Grenache alongside 38% Mourvedre and the remainder Syrah.  The aromatic range is really good, from white pepper tones and garrigue alongside smoked meats, blackberry cobbler and mocha accents that all take shape in the glass. The palate shows a good degree of freshness, viscosity and elegance. Ripe red currants collide with minerals, smoke, beef fat and menthol on the palate. Akin to the other Liminal wines, this is exceedingly gratifying to consume with its silky texture and elegance. Simply outstanding in its youth, this beautiful wine has a long life ahead of it. Drink 2020-2032- 94

2018 Liminal ‘High Canyon’ Syrah- The 2018 Liminal ‘High Canyon’ Syrah was stored for sixteen months in 25% new French oak and 50% 500L puncheons before bottling. Smoky tones and soy sauce aromatics combine with wild blackberry cordial, garrigue and shades of smoked brisket that all mingle in the glass. The palate is soft, round and generous as this effortlessly glides throughout. Rich dark figs and blackberry compote collide with Korean BBQ beef ribs, Umami and sagebrush tones on the palate. Utterly sensational right now to savor, this ‘wow’ factor Syrah has another decade of life to go. Drink 2020-2032- 95

2018 Liminal ‘Block 16’ Syrah- The ‘Block 16’ at the WeatherEye Vineyard is the highest planting at this site. North-facing, it is incredibly tightly spaced unlike any site on Red Mountain. A glass-staining purple, this opens with violets and smoked brisket alongside shades of boysenberry liquor and dried Provencale herbs that all meld in the glass. The palate is plush, showing a good depth and concentration but also a seamless texture. Ripe dark fruits mingle with smoky and dried herbal tones on the palate. The combination of bright acidity and texture brings you back to the glass for more enjoyment. Sensational now in its youth, this silky wine has a long life ahead of it. Drink 2020-2032- 94