As I sit down and write this, I have finished a busy day at my clinical practice and have tasted two wines, both from Avennia. We are living in a tragic world where thousands of Americans are dying from Covid-19 each day but I refuse to not continue to write about the great wines of the world and in our Pacific Northwest region.
Tasting these wines show what an incredible life we have to live. They’re living examples of something beautiful and pure. I just wrote about Avennia a few months ago, but these new wines were so good I simply had to immediately share my thoughts with you all.
One of the consistently great houses in Washington, Avennia has been producing great wines for now nearly a decade. A partnership between former Microsoft executive Marty Taucher and superstar winemaker Chris Peterson, Avennia focuses on high quality Rhone and Bordeaux style wines. One of the state’s great winemakers, Chris Peterson was formerly DeLille Cellars winemaker for many years prior to starting Avennia. I had the great chance to sit down with him for Instagram Live this summer. Articulate and highly intelligent, Chris has a very polished style to his winemaking that combines new world richness with old world poise and aging potential.
I absolutely adored his 2018 Avennia ‘Gravura’ Red Wine (OB, 93) which is impeccably balanced and might just be the best edition of this fabulous value red wine. Even better is one of the best wines I have tasted by Avennia, their thrilling 2018 ‘Champoux Vineyard’ Cabernet Franc (OB, 96) which shows everything you want in this varietal, whether it is the herbal tones or the rich range of fruits, I was absolutely floored what Chris Peterson has accomplished with this wine. Learn more about these special wines at avennia.com Here are my reviews of the two new Avennia wines.
2018 Avennia ‘Gravura’ Red Wine- I fondly recall when I first tried this wine. I had finished a long day at my practice and was sitting at the bar at El Gaucho Seattle in Belltown (sadly I won’t ever have this chance again as they have recently moved), I received a recommendation from one of their bartenders, who mentioned a new winery with Chris Peterson as winemaker. Fast forward more than eight years, I now sit with the 2018 edition of this wine. The nose is gorgeous with dark florals that collide with boysenberry cordial and smoke with herbal undertones that all march in unison. The palate is lithe and fresh with a pillowy texture that Peterson does so well. A deep core of dark fruits mingle with minerals, sagebrush and milk chocolate flavors on the palate. Seriously good now, the 2018 ‘Gravura’ will provide drinking enjoyment for another decade. Drink 2020-2030- 93
2018 Avennia ‘Champoux Vineyard’ Cabernet Franc- Sourced from a hallowed site in the Horse Heaven Hills AVA, this beautiful Cabernet Franc shows dark rose petals woven together with red bell pepper, cassis and blackberry compote tones that all sing in unision. The palate is incredibly vibrant and elegant, with a seamless texture. Layers of bright red and dark fruits mingle with espresso bean and even blueberry tones on the palate. The extremely long finishes accentuates this beautiful wine that deftly walks the tightrope between balance and hedonism. Complex and sinfully good in its youth, this beautiful wine will provide drinking enjoyment for another two decades. Be sure to give this at least an hour in the decanter if enjoying in its nascent phase. Drink 2020-2040- 96