An outstanding winemaker producing a killer range of wines, Chris Dowsett was a mere 15 years old when his family purchased an older vineyard in Oregon. Chris spent several years tending to the grapes and helping in the family winery, and decided to enroll in the horticulture program at Oregon State University. He also studied wine science at Roseworthy College in South Australia as part of a one-year exchange.
Post-graduation, Chris headed to Napa and Sonoma to work in both Viticulture and Enology. After five years in California, he decided it was time to bring that experience back home, to the Pacific Northwest. In 1996, Chris arrived with his young family in Walla Walla, Washington to take over as the assistant winemaker at Canoe Ridge Winery. Five years later, he became the winemaker at Latitude 46N. Chris moved on to make wines at the Artifex custom crush facility in Walla Walla, and that is where Dowsett Family Winery began in 2007, with the production of 300 initial cases. Chris currently makes Dowsett Family wines at Buty Winery.
The new wines by Dosett Family were really good across the board. Chris makes a brilliant new Pinot Noir, his 2016 Dowsett Family ‘Beckline Vineyards’ Pinot Noir (WWB, 92) has wonderful richness and earthy tones from the 100% Pommard clone. For something different look to the sensational 2017 Dowsett Family ‘Celilo Vineyard’ Gewurtztraminer (WWB, 92) which is vibrant and mineral-driven, showing great length and tension. Learn more about these exciting wines at https://dowsettwines.com Here are the great new releases by Dowsett Family.
2019 Dowsett Family ‘Georgia’ Rose- Sourced from the Becklin Vineyard, this Pinot Noir Rose shows pretty watermelon and rose water tones alongside shades of ripe cantaloupe on this expressive nose. The palate has good astringency with mouth-watering acidity. Lighter red fruits dance with minerals and lighter damp earthy undertones on the palate. Drink 2020-2023- 89
2016 Dowsett Family ‘Becklin Vineyards’ Pinot Noir- This 100% Pommard Clone Pinot Noir shows lovely ripe red cherry with raspberry coulis and shades of cinnamon, clove and damp earth tones that take shape in the glass. The texture is soft and generous, unveiling layers of red and dark fruits that meld with the lovely citrus rind and peat moss tones on the palate. This is truly outstanding stuff that will cellar well for at least another ten years. . . but why wait? Drink 2020-2030- 92
2018 Dowsett Family ‘Columbia Gorge’ Gewurtztraminer- The 2018 ‘Columbia Gorge’ Gewurtztraminer shows pretty lychee and petrol tones that mingle with the green apple accents on this expressive nose. The palate has good freshness with just a kiss of sweetness and a soft texture with ripe cantaloupe and lychee flavors. This is seriously good stuff that is a steal at a mere sixteen dollars. Drink 2020-2025- 90
2017 Dowsett Family ‘Celilo Vineyard’ Gewurtztraminer- Sourced from this famed vineyard that is typically known for Chardonnay, the 2017 ‘Celilo Vineyard’ Gewurtztraminer opens with nutmeg infused Challah bread, ripe pear and suggestions of damp stone and petrol that take shape in the glass. The palate unveils a vibrant minerality and wonderful length with an expansive attack filled with mouth-watering acidity. This is novel and up there with the best you will find in Washington, as this has some potential to age, picking up tertiary tones as it progresses. Drink 2020-2027- 92
2017 Dowsett family ‘Aunt Diane’s Vineyard’ Riesling- The green apple aromatics alongside damp earth and wet stone really frame the nose nicely. Juicy and vibrant, this Trocken style Riesling has an incredible sense of minerality with lovely Granny Smith apple and unripe kiwi flavors that mingle with the copious minerals. This is serious stuff for Riesling geeks — not designed for the weary. Drink 2020-2027- 93