As we continue on this great Washington Wine Month we share one of the jewels of Walla Walla, a’Maurice Cellars. A great, limited production family winery, a’Maurice is a nod to Maurice Schafer who built one of the largest and most successful timber companies in the Pacific Northwest. The Schafers, Tom and Kathleen, created the first registered sustainable vineyard in Washington State as Tom Schafer spent several years surveying the Walla Walla Valley, until he found the perfect land for his vineyard — a south-facing parcel located up Mill Creek. The site is simply magical with sweeping views of the valley.
Anna Schafer crafts some seriously good wines and has gained national recognition for her wines. She has some great pedigree previously working for Viña Cobos in both 2006 and 2007. Her winemaking style is very old world as she creates a beautiful sense of astringency with each wine. Her wines are consistently great across the board. I love the 2019 a’Maurice Cellars ‘Sparrow’ Viognier (WWB, 92) which shows off the great tension and range, with great acidity. Her red wines were just as good and I loved the new Owl and Crown’ Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (WWB, 94) which is dense and chewy, having some massive cellaring potential. Learn more about this great Walla Walla winery at https://www.amaurice.com Here are the beautiful new wines from a’Maurice Cellars
2019 a’Maurice Cellars ‘Sparrow’ Viognier- Very pretty honeysuckle and kiwi tones collide with suggestions of Mandarin orange zest on the nose. Soft and bright, with great acidity and length, this offers gratifying Japanese pear, starfruit and lemon rind flavors alongside the great sense of mouthfeel and tension. With gobs of mouth-watering acidity in its youth, enjoy this beautiful new Viognier over the next five years. Drink 2020-2025- 92
2018 a’Maurice Cellars ‘Boushey Vineyard’ Syrah- The 2018 ‘Boushey Vineyard’ Syrah is a beautiful effort by the talented Anna Schaefer from this famed site in the Yakima Valley. Once on the nose you are greeted to smoky tones that are woven together with shades of cardamom and the rich core of red and dark fruits. Lightly tannic, the soft sense of mouthfeel really entices as citrus rind and sour red fruits dance with minerals, smoked meats and dusty terroir. Gorgeous to enjoy in its youth, this beautiful wine has a decade or more ahead of it. Drink 2020-2030- 92
2018 a’Maurice Cellars ‘Fred’ Syrah- Sourced from their estate vineyard in the Walla Walla Valley, the 2018 ‘Fred’ Syrah is an awesome new terroir-driven wine by a’Maurice. Right away you notice the dusting of white pepper falls upon tar, bacon fat and shades of violets on this evocative nose. The Syrah shows great verve and sense of tension as beautiful red and dark fruits march on with chocolate, sagebrush and dried herbs on the palate. Beautifully balanced and showing great texture and poise, the 2018 ‘Fred’ Syrah will enjoy a long life ahead of it. Drink 2020-2032- 93
2017 a’Maurice Cellars ‘Artist Series’ Red Wine- The 2017 ‘Artist Series’ Red Wine is a blend of mainly Cabernet Sauvignon (45%) and Merlot (38%) with the remainder Cabernet Franc. The herbal tones from the Cabernet Franc seem to be playing first chair, alongside the core of dark fruits and chocolate tones on the nose. The palate is wonderfully balanced with a great sense of texture and tension. Layers of roasted figs, blackberry compote, mocha and tar all come together with the lovely herbal undertones of the wine. Great to savor now at the three year mark, the 2017 ‘Artist Series’ will enjoy another decade or more ahead of it. Drink 2020-2032- 92
2017 a’Maurice Cellars ‘Night Owl’ Red Wine- The a’Maurice 2017 Night Owl is a blend of 56% Merlot with 21% Cabernet Franc, 16% Petit Verdot and a touch of Cabernet Sauvignon. The herbal, red bell pepper and deep, concentrated dark fruits from the Petit Verdot really make this blend work, as softer layers of chocolate and black cherry cordial from the Merlot also add to the enjoyment. These working pieces are moving hand in hand. If enjoying in its youth, give the 2017 ‘Night Owl; a long decant. Drink 2020-2035- 93
2017 a’Maurice Cellars ‘Amparo’ Malbec- Inky and intensely colored once in the glass, the 2017 ‘Amparo’ leads with potpourri, crushed wet stone, blackberry cordial and blueberry compote tones that all take shape in the glass. The palate is soft, round and generous, giving off an err of decadence. Not only showing wonderful weight, the light tannins and great acidity of this wine really hold things together. The brightness and concentration reminds me of a full-throttle Cahors, as the 2017 ‘Amparo’ will enjoy at least another decade of life ahead of it. Drink 2020-2032- 93
2017 a’Maurice Cellars ‘Owl and Crown’ Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon- A barrel select wine, the 2017 ‘Owl and Crown’ shows intense creme de cassis and red bell pepper aromatics woven together with crushed mint, coffee grounds and the deep core of dark fruits. The beautiful bouquet brings you back to the glass for more delight. Once on the mouth you are met with a pillowy mouthfeel, as this effortlessly glides across the mid-palate. Layers of blackberry compote, black licorice and dark chocolate shavings collide with minerals and the dusty terroir of the wine. Sensational in its youth, be sure to give this a two hour decant before enjoying. Drink 2020-2038- 94