A longstanding Woodinville winery, Gorman is founded by Chris Gorman who began his winery shortly after graduating from college in 1991. Before starting he spent 3 years working for a small Italian importer which carefully trained his palate. During that time Chris traveled extensively in the wine areas of Italy, Spain and Germany and finally started his winery in 2002. The winery has been a small operation, crafting consistently good wines from the Columbia Valley. Currently producing roughly 8,000 cases a year Chris focuses on the terroir from Red Mountain and works with great vineyards such as Kiona, Shaw and many others. They also make an excellent Chardonnay called their ‘Big Sissy.’
It has been several years since I had tasted the new Gorman lineup and I was really impressed across the board. The wines came from warm vintages, 2017 and 2018. I love the 2018 Gorman ‘The Devil You Don’t Know’ Red Wine (WWB, 92) which artfully combines Syrah, Grenache and Mourvedre to create a very pretty but full-bodied effort. Even better was the sinfully good 2017 Gorman ‘The Bully’ Cabernet Sauvignon (WWB, 93) which is seamless, elegant and full of verve. This beautiful effort has a long way to go in the cellar. Learn more about these fantastic new wines at gormanwinery.com. Here are the great new wines by Chris Gorman and his Gorman Winery.
2018 Gorman ‘Zachary’s Ladder’ Red Wine- The 2018 Zachary’s Ladder is a great blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Syrah, with 7% Petit Verdot. The palate is plush, delivering beautiful black fruits that collide with minerals, tar and shades of milk chocolate covered red cherry. With light sagebrush undertones, this is really nice wine to enjoy over the next five to seven years. Drink 2020-2027- 91
2018 Gorman ‘The Devil You Know’ Red Wine- The 2018 ‘The Devil You Know’ is a proprietary blend of Bordeaux varietals all sourced from the Kiona, Obelisco, Shaw, and Lonesome Spring Vineyards. Dark once in the glass, the gorgeous core of dark fruits arouse the senses aromatically, with thyme and sagebrush accents rounding out the nose. The palate is elegant and well-rounded with medium to full-bodied blackberry, kirsch and sagebrush tones with shades of mocha and tar. This is seriously good for the price. Drink 2020-2028- 92
2018 Gorman ‘The Devil You Don’t Know’ Red Wine- The Gorman ‘The Devil You Don’t Know’ is a gorgeous new wine that blends Syrah, Grenache, and Mourvedre all aged in American oak. The blend works wonders as downright delicious red and dark fruits collide, with shades of coffee grounds, with pipe tobacco and orange rind accents. The combination of acidiity, weight and length all come together beautifully. This is great wine to enjoy now, but has another eight to ten years ahead of it. Drink 2020-2028- 92
2017 Gorman ‘The Bully’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2017 Gorman ‘The Bully’ Cabernet Sauvignon is an awesome new release comprised of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon with 8% Petit Verdot that aged in 90% new French oak before bottling. The earthy aromatics entice, with blackberry compote, mocha and tar tones all taking shape in the glass. The palate is soft and round, with a seamless texture. Layers of boysenberry cordial, sagebrush and Turkish coffee all meld nicely on the palate. Gorgeous in its youth, this beautiful wine has a long life ahead of it. Drink 2020-2033- 93
2018 Gorman ‘Evil Twin’ Red Wine- The ‘Evil Twin’ is a Provencale style wine comprised of 75% Syrah with the remainder Cabernet Sauvignon all sourced from the Red Mountain AVA. Fresh blueberry and thyme aromas combine with black tea and black licorice tones on the nose. The palate is plush and seriously good, as bright, lip-smacking acidity greets you. A light dusting of salinity falls upon the core of dark fruits and tobacco leaf tones on the palate. Gorgeous now, the ‘Evil Twin’ will enjoy at least another decade of life ahead of it. Drink 2020-2020- 92
2017 Gorman ‘The Pixie’ Syrah- The 2017 ‘The Pixie’ Syrah is sourced from the Kiona, End of the Road Ranch, and Klipsun Vineyards. Shades of venison and bulls blood combine with the core of red fruits, smoke and citrus rind accents on this beautiful bouquet. The palate is plush, giving off a soft texture. Layers of red and dark fruits mingle with coffee grounds, kumquat zest and smoky tones on the palate. With great length and elegance, this beautiful wine will cellar well for a decade or more. Drink 2020-2030- 92