I love wineries that provide great value. One of the nicest guys you will meet in Washington wine, Brian Grasso, crafts some awesome boutique wines for Structure Cellars. Structure Cellars focuses their program on high quality red wine that won’t damage your pocketbook. Located in the SoDo district it has been a joy to watch Brian’s winemaking continue to evolve over the past several years. Formerly a somm, Brian trained under Chris Sparkman of Sparkman Cellars before starting his own winery. Brian is a really easy-going, down to earth guy. He’s passionate and dedicated to making high quality, good value wines. He and his wife have also curated a really cool sparkling wine bar called
I have very much enjoyed stopping by their winery which has a great, relaxed atmosphere and no doubt has 90s hip hop playing in the background. I loved the 2017 Structure Cellars ‘Red Willow Vineyard’ Syrah (WWB, 92) which is dense, showing great terroir from this special site. Just as good as their 2017 Structure Cellars ‘Foundation’ Cabernet Sauvignon (WWB, 92) which has already beautifully evolved and has many years to go. Learn more about these excellent wines at structurecellars.com Here are the great new wines by Structure Cellars.
2019 Structure Cellars ‘Oculus’ Viognier- The 2019 ‘Oculus’ Viognier shows lychee and white flowers with shades of bright pear and nectarine rind on the nose. The palate has good freshness with a soft texture. Layers of orchard fruits dance with minerals and the salty terroir on the palate. Outstanding right now, enjoy over the next several years while the bright sense of minerality remains intact. Drink 2020-2024- 91
2018 Structure Cellars ‘Bauhaus’ Syrah- Sourced from the Columbia Valley, this shows toasty oak with black currants and smoke, with chocolate tones on the nose. The palate has good depth and concentration with a deep core of dark fruits (figs, blackberries and black currants) alongside coffee ground and chocolate tones. This is complex and delicious Syrah that is best enjoyed over the next seven years. Drink 2020-2027- 91
2017 Structure Cellars ‘Red Willow Vineyard’ Syrah- Sourced from one of the famed sites for Syrah in the Yakima Valley, the 2017 ‘Red Willow Vineyard’ Syrah shows smoke and wintergreen tones with the core of dark fruits on the nose. The palate has great freshness with layers of smoked brisket, bulls blood, black olive tapenade and blackberry compote. Really delicious now, this will cellar well for the next seven to ten years. Drink 2020-2029- 92
2017 Structure Cellars ‘Foundation’ Syrah- The 2017 ‘Foundation’ Syrah is a seriously good effort by Brian Grasso of Structure Cellars. Baking spices and smoky tones combine with the core of dark fruits and menthol tones on the nose. The palate shows good depth and concentration with a light dusting of salinity alongside white pepper, espresso bean, blackberry compote and leather tones. Full-bodied, yet showing good poise, this beautiful wine will cellar well for the next decade. Drink 2020-2030- 92
2018 Structure Cellars ‘The Newel’ Red Wine- This great blend of 60% Cabernet Franc with the remainder Syrah shows sagebrush and menthol tones alongside the dark currants, tobacco leaf and mocha tones. The palate is fresh and vibrant with layers of dark fruits and a good acidity, with light tannins mingling with the tobacco, sagebrush and milk chocolate tones. Drink 2020-2027- 91
2018 Structure Cellars ‘Bartizan’ Red Wine- The ‘Bartizan’ is an intriguing blend of equal parts Merlot and Cabernet Franc (33%) with equal parts Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon (17%). The palate is dense and chewy with ripe dark currants, blackberry compote, tobacco leaf and chocolate tones. Drink 2020-2027- 90
2018 Structure Cellars ‘Spire’ Merlot- The 2018 ‘Spire’ Merlot is another great effort by the talented Brian Grasso. Once on the nose this takes on dense kirsch with sagebrush and tobacco leaf tones. The palate is soft and inviting, showing great length and varietal typicity. Layers of dark fruits and chocolate are woven together with minerals and sweet pipe tobacco on the palate. Enjoy this great wine over the next seven to ten years. Drink 2020-2029- 91
2018 Structure Cellars ‘Piloti’ Cabernet Franc- The ‘Piloti’ Cabernet Franc shows nice herbal tones that mingle with chocolate and coffee grounds, with a core of black fruits on the nose. The palate is dense with good freshness and length, showing a good combination of blue and black fruits with minerals, red bell pepper and coffee ground tones.This is wonderfully classic Washington Cabernet Franc, as the 2018 ‘Piloti’ will enjoy another decade of life ahead of it. Drink 2020-2029- 92
2018 Structure Cellars ‘Foundation’ Cabernet Franc- A barrel selection wine, the ‘Foundation’ shows red bell pepper with sagebrush and dark currants on the nose. The palate is soft, round and generous with silky tannins. Showing a good core of dark fruits, alongside herbal and chocolate tones, this beautiful new Cabernet Franc will cellar well over the next decade. Drink 2020-2030- 92
2018 Structure Cellars ‘Craftsman’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2018 ‘Craftsman’ Cabernet Sauvignon shows firm tannins and good grip with ripe blackberry compote, sagebrush, tar and shades of black currant cordial on the palate. Medium to full-bodied, with good length, this should cellar well for a decade. Drink 2020-2029- 91
2017 Structure Cellars ‘Upland Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2017 ‘Upland Vineyard’ Caberent Sauvignon shows creosote tones woven together with black currants and tobacco leaf on the nose. sThe palate is dense and rich, with good acidity and layers of dark fruits that combine with sagebrush and milk chocolate on the palate. Great to enjoy now at the three year mark this beautiful wine will cellar well for another decade or more. Drink 2020-2030- 92
2017 Structure Cellars ‘Wallula Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- One of the hallowed sites for Caberent Sauvignon in the state, the ‘Wallula Vineyard’ is a highly scenic site right on the Columbia River in the Horse Heaven Hills AVA. Anise and creme de cassis combine with tobacco leaf and sagebrush tones on the nose. The palate is dense, chewy and highly gratifying with layers of blueberry compote and mocha that are woven together with tar, anise and creme de cassis tones. Full-bodied, with firm tannins and great length, this outstanding bottling by Brian Grasso will enjoy another fifteen years or more in the cellar. Drink 2020-2035- 93
2018 Structure Cellars ‘Foundation’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2018 Structure Cellars ‘Foundation’ Cabernet Sauvignon is a seriously good effort from this SoDo house. Fresh sage and smoky undertones combine with mocha, tar and blackberry pie tones on the nose. The palate has good freshness and balance with layers of dark fruits that combine with smoke, pipe tobacco and shades of coffee grounds. With fabulous length, this beautiful wine will cellar well for a decade or more. Drink 2020-2030- 92
2018 Structure Cellars ‘Foundation’ Malbec- Brian Grasso has steadily been gaining a strong reputation for his Malbec year after year. This outstanding effort has white pepper with blue and dark fruits on the nose with shades of violets and exotic spices. The palate has good freshness and a light dusting of salinity alongside the core of dark and blue fruits, white pepper and chocolate covered espresso bean tones. Gorgeous to enjoy now, this beautiful wine has another decade of life ahead of it. Drink 2020-2030- 92