As we continue Washington Wine Month we share the story of one of the outstanding wineries on Red Mountain. It has now been several years since I have written about the wines of Fidelitas. I was honestly quite perplexed why these wines were not sent to me for several years as I have always been impressed with the winemaking prowess of Charlie Hoppes. I fondly recall speaking to him shortly after he launched his great modern facility on Red Mountain as he was thrilled with the site and the planting of his new vineyard.
I found it no surprise that his new release wines from 2017 are consistently great across the board.. Over the years Fidelitas has gained national acclaim for their terroir driven red and white wines. A beautiful and modern facility that was created by superstar winemaker, Charlie Hoppes, former head winemaker for Chateau Ste. Michelle. Prior to working at Chateau Ste. Michelle, he attended the world renowned Viticulture and Enology program at the University of California, Davis and in 1988 he graduated with a degree in Agricultural Science and Management with a special emphasis in Viticulture and Enology. After a brief stint in Walla Walla in 1990 at Waterbrook Winery, he began working with superstar winemaker Mike Januik as a member of the winemaking team at Ste. Michelle in Woodinville. In 1993, he became the Head Red Winemaker and managed Ste. Michelle’s newest facility at the time, Canoe Ridge near Paterson, Washington. Hoppes had the pleasure of making the first vintages of Col Solare, from 1995-1998. After some time, Hoppes wanted to start his own project.
Hoppes finally decided to purchase some land on Red Mountain, founding Fidelitas in 2000 -- and has produced fantastic reds and whites since that time. Fidelitas is known for their red and white Bordeaux blends, as well as their rich Cabernets.
I was highly impressed with their range of new release wines. A wine that continues to impress each year is their 2017 Fidelitas ‘Optu Red Wine’ (WWB, 92) which is dense and chewy with great tobacco and chocolate tones. I absolutely love the 2017 Fidenitas ‘Quintessence Vineyard’ Malbec (WWB, 93) which is deeply concentrated and has a great veil of tension and light dusting of white pepper. Learn more about the great Fidelitas lineup at http://www.fidelitaswines.com/ Here are the great new wine releases from Fidelitas.
2017 Fidelitas ‘Optu’ Red Wine- The 2017 ‘Optu’ is a beautiful blend of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon with smaller portions Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc mainly sourced from The Canyons Vineyard (53%). Aged in 42% new French oak, this opens with sagebrush and kirsch tones that are woven together with sweet pipe tobacco and shades of dark chocolate cake on this expressive bouquet The palate is elegant and shows a great dimension of minerality. Layers of dark fruits artfully combine with the earthy and smoky undertones of the wine, with espresso bean accents. Great to enjoy in its youth, be sure to give this an hour in the decanter prior to consumption now. Drink 2020-2035- 92
2017 Fidelitas ‘Quintessence Vineyard’ Merlot- Chocolate covered red cherry, tobacco leaf and damp terroir all marvelously combine aromatically in this Red Mountain Merlot. The palate shows depth and concentration, but has a weightless energy. Layers of dark chocolate shavings, cassis, coffee grounds and smoke collide with a great err of tension mouthfeel and weight. The long finish really impresses as this is a sensational effort by mastermind Charlie Hopppes that has a long life ahead of it. Drink 2020-2035- 93
2017 Fidelitas ‘Quintessence Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2017 ‘Quintessence Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon is a gorgeous new wine by Fidelitas. Aged for 22 months in 50% new French oak, the wine shows great depth and weight, with a nice feeling of elegance. Ripe dark currants meld with chocolate and tobacco tones on the palate. Gorgeous already at he three year mark, this has a long way to go. Drink 2020-2035- 93
2017 Fidelitas ‘Quintessence Vineyard’ Malbec- The 2017 Fidelitas ‘Quintessence Vineyard’ Malbec was aged in 42% new French oak for 22 months before bottling. Violets and creme de cassis mingle with shades of white pepper on this evocative nose. The palate is silky smooth throughout with layers of dark cherry cordial, blueberry compote, and suggestions of Black Forest Cake, giving this a feeling of decadence. Delightful to savor now, the 2017 ‘Quintessence Vineyard’ Malbec will cellar well over the next fifteen years. Drink 2020-2035- 93
2017 Fidelitas ‘Blackwood Canyon Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2017 Fidelitas ‘Blackwood Canyon Vineyard’ is another utterly gorgeous wine by Charlie Hoppes. Mocha and exotic spices with shades of sage and black currant jelly all combine on the nose. The palate is deep and wonderfully concentrated. Layers of dark fruits and smoky undertones combine with chocolate and baking spices on the palate. With great depth and richness, this will cellar well over the next fifteen plus years. Drink 2020-2035- 92
2017 Fidelitas ‘Fidelitas Estate Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- I fondly recall visiting Fidelitas when it first opened and chatting with Charlie Hoppes about his new vineyard on Red Mountain more than a decade ago. Deep kirsch and blackberry cordial tones with sagebrush and scorched earthy tones all marvelously combine on the nose. The palate is silky smooth with a soft mouthfeel and wonderful viscosity, tension and length. Powerful, yet well-balanced, this gorgeous effort will cellar well over the next fifteen plus years. Drink 2020-2035- 93