A longtime Woodinville stalwart, Sparkman Cellars is a consistently good producer of a huge range of wines — from crisp Rose to deep and layered Cabernet Sauvignon. Founded by some great people in wine, Chris and Kelly Sparkman, Chris has a diverse background formerly working in the Peace Corps and then as well as some top fine dining restaurants in Seattle. They both made a massive leap of faith in 2004 by starting Sparkman Cellars and the rest has been history. Sparkman sources from some of the best vineyards in the state including the Boushey, Klipsun, Sagemoor and Ciel du Cheval Vineyards.
Linn Scott has served as winemaker for many years now and has a really great new lineup. I loved the 2017 Sparkman Cellars ‘Wonderland’ Grenache (WWB, 93) which has amazing depth and a silky, plush texture. Just as good is his 2016 Sparkman Cellars ‘Evermore’ Cabernet Sauvignon (WWB, 93) which has a lovely seamless texture and is loaded with rich dark fruits. Learn more about this outstanding producer at http://www.sparkmancellars.com/. Here are the great new wines by Sparkman Cellars.
2019 Sparkman Cellars ‘This Old Porch’ Rose- The 2019 ‘This Old Porch’ Rose shows light rose petal and red cherry candy aromas that build in the glass. The freshness imparted is really good, as delicate red fruits dance with shades of cloves and lemon zest on the palate. Lithe and refreshing, albeit lacking a bit of richness, enjoy this excellent new Rose in the short-term. Drink 2020-2023- 89
2019 Sparkman Cellars ‘Pearl’ Sauvignon Blanc- The ‘Pearl’ Sauvignon Blanc opens with bright green apple and green papaya aromatics that build in the glass. The soft texture and lovely viscosity of the wine both impress, creating a seamless effect mid-palate. Wonderful to enjoy in its youth, the ‘Pearl’ will cellar well over the next five to seven years. Drink 2020-2025- 91
2017 Sparkman Cellars ‘Lumiere’ Chardonnay- The ‘Lumiere’ shows bright pear and starfruit aromas that combine with the vanilla creamy accents that all take shape in the glass. The palate is exceedingly well-structured, with an unctuous mouthfeel and a soft texture. With bright acidity, this beautiful wine will cellar well for another seven to ten years. Drink 2020-2027- 92
2017 Sparkman Cellars ‘Wonderland’ Grenache- The nose offers plenty of intrigue with its wonderful range from blood orange zest to red cherry candy and damp earth undertones that all mingle nicely together. The palate is medium to full-bodied with a gorgeous texture. Red cherry pie and shades of wild strawberry and guava mingle with minerals and sagebrush tones. This is truly good in its youth and will continue to provide drinking enjoyment for another decade. Drink 2020-2030- 93
2017 Sparkman Cellars ‘Outlaw’ Merlot- The 2017 ‘Outlaw’ shows pretty red rose petals and bright Bing cherry with tobacco leaf accents on this delightful nose. The palate is soft and inviting with rich chocolate covered cherry, sagebrush and shades of boysenberry pie. Fantastic to savor now, with good poise and viscosity, I can see this cellaring well over the next decade or more. This has a very cool Right bank feel for Washington Merlot. Drink 2020-2032- 92
2017 Sparkman Cellars ‘Yonder’ Cabernet Franc- The ‘Yonder’ Cabernet Franc shows the delightful herbal accents on the bouquet alongside suggestions of cassis and red cherry candy that all mingle together in the glass. The palate is plush, round and generous with good acidity and rich red and dark fruit flavors with shades of milk chocolate. This is seriously good stuff that is best enjoyed over the next decade. Drink 2020-2030- 92
2016 Sparkman Cellars ‘Rainmaker’Cabernet Sauvignon- The aptly named ‘Rainmaker’ Cabernet Sauvignon is a perfect rich wine to cozy up to on a cold and wet winter’s day.The mocha and tar aromas connect with the rich dark fruits on this expressive nose. The palate is plush and generous with loads of dark fruits and pipe tobacco. Soft, with a silky texture, the ‘Rainmaker’ will cellar well for a decade or more. Drink 2020-2030- 92
2017 Sparkman Cellars ‘Holler’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2017 ‘Holler’ Cabernet Sauvignon opens with deep dark currant aromas that meld with sandalwood and shades of black raspberry cordial that all take shape in the glass. The palate is medium to full-bodied, as the light tannins frame a deep core of dark fruits. Refined and elegant, this beautiful wine will cellar well over the next decade. Drink 2020-2030- 92
2016 Sparkman Cellars ‘Evermore’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2016 ‘Evermore’ is another outstanding bottling from this fantastic Woodinville producer. Made from old vine Cabernet Sauvignon from the Klipsun and Dionysus Vineyards, the ‘Evermore’ starts off with aromatics of mocha, tar and shades of black licorice that take shape in the glass. The palate has great balance and purity of fruit. With good length and elegance, showing off its core of blackberry compote and milk chocolate with sagebrush tones, the 2016 ‘Evermore’ will have a long life ahead of it. Drink 2020-2033- 93
2017 Sparkman Cellars ‘Preposterous’ Malbec- The ‘Preposterous’ Malbec opens with an intoxicating bouquet of creme de cassis, mocha and blueberry pie with a light dusting of white pepper that all take shape in the glass. Soft, round and plush, the silky texture entices, as does the massive core of dark and blue fruits. Seductive, yet nicely balanced, the ‘Preposterous’ Malbec is an impressive wine that has a long way to go. Drink 2020-2032- 92
2016 Sparkman Cellars ‘Rukus’ Syrah-Sourced from Red Mountain, this takes the lead with the smoky and earthy undertones that combine with the rich core of dark fruits on the nose. The palate has good freshness with a soft texture. Medium-bodied dark fruit flavors connect with the sagebrush and chocolate tones on the palate. Drink 2020-2025- 91
2016 Sparkman Cellars ‘Darkness’ Syrah- The 2016 ‘Darkness Syrah by Sparkman opens with really good aromatic range from red cherry candy to Hoisin sauce and bacon fat tones that all meld in the glass. The palate has good freshness and a seamless texture. Bright red fruits connect with the citrus rind and smoky undertones of the wine. Showing great verve, this is seriously good stuff that will cellar well over the next decade. Drink 2020-2027- 93