EFESTE

Today we share one of the great Woodinville outposts. It is hardly a secret that EFESTĒ has produced consistently good wines for more than a decade and also boasts one of the most popular (and fun) wine clubs in Washington State. I have personally attended some of their summer gatherings that are lively and filled with their great lineup of wines. 

Mark Fiore, formerly with K Vintners, is crafting some beautiful wines at EFESTE. A former PGA Professional, Mark worked two harvest seasons at Beresan and Balboa wineries, which led him to an all-encompassing job with Charles Smith Wines in August of 2011. Mark began making wine for K Vintners and then worked on other projects such as Sixto, Latta Wines, Wines of Substance and B Leighton in Walla Walla and Seattle. He is a delightful guy to chat wine with and has made some outstanding wines across the board for EFESTĒ  were gorgeous across the board. This is one of the great overall lineups in Washington. Look to their gorgeous new 2019 EFESTĒ ‘Lola’ Chardonnay (WWB, 93) which is one of the great wines of its kind made in Washington with its silky texture and glorious weight. This wine has amazing texture and delicate red fruits with gobs of acidity. I absolutely loved their 2017 EFESTĒ ‘Big Papa’ Cabernet Sauvignon (WWB, 94) which is a massive wine that is showing brilliantly in its youth and has a very long life ahead of it. Learn more about these outstanding new wines at https://efeste.com Here are the gorgeous new wines by EFESTĒ. 

2019 EFESTĒ ‘Feral’ Sauvignon Blanc- The 2019 ‘Feral’ Sauvignon Blanc was sourced from the ‘Evergreen Vineyard’ in the Ancient Lakes AVA. Kiwi and gooseberry tones combine with shades of damp earth and smoky minerals on the nose. The palate shows wonderful astringency and texture as bright green apple and green papaya tones combine with minerals, wet stone and lemon zest flavors. This intense Sauvignon Blanc is awesome now and won’t improve with age. Drink 2020-2024- 92

2019 EFESTĒ ‘Adrienne’ Chenin Blanc- EFESTE has sourced from the famed ‘Rothrock Vineyard’ which has produced outstanding old vine Chenin Blanc. Best out of a Burgundy glass, this shows awesome range from kumquat to Pink Lady apple and nutmeg infused Challah bread tones on the palate. The combination of mouthfeel, length and tension really makes this something extra special. Drink 2020-2028- 92

2018 EFESTĒ ‘Lola’ Chardonnay- The 2018 ‘Lola’ Chardonnay was sourced from the ‘Evergreen Vineyard’ in the Ancient Lakes AVA. Toasty oak tones combine with Japanese pear, roasted pineapple and sourdough bread on the nose. The palate has sensational viscosity as this silky smooth wine effortlessly glides across the mid-palate. Deep orchard fruits mingle with minerals, damp earth and a touch of mango on the palate. This glorious effort has some really good aging potential, as this will evolve into more nutty and earthy tones. Drink 2020-2030- 93

2018 EFESTĒ ‘Paulie’ Red Wine- The 2018 ‘Paulie’ is named after the oldest son of EFESTE owners Kevin and Angela Taylor. A blend of 42% Mouvedre, 33% Grenache and the remainder Syrah, this shows off wonderful spicy tones on the nose with shades of smoked brisket, blackberry pie, red cherry candy, and lighter orange rind undertones on this highly complex bouquet. The palate is soft with its fantastic sense of tension and mouthfeel. Layers of pretty red and dark fruits meld with minerals, baking spices, and tar. With good length and viscosity this fantastic new Washington Rhone style wine will cellar well for at least another decade. Drink 2020-2030- 93

2018 EFESTĒ ‘Jolie Bouche’ Syrah- The inky-hued ‘Jolie Bouche’ Syrah was sourced from the EFESTE Estate Vineyard in the Yakima Valley AVA. Once on the nose this takes on layers of dark fruits, smoke and chocolate tones woven together with suggestions of sagebrush that all dance together in the glass. The palate is dense and juicy with tons of great acidity and a good feeling of minerality. Blackberry compote, creosote and milk chocolate flavors with garrigue undertones all march in unison. This is simply awesome Syrah to enjoy in its youth, as the 2018 ‘Jolie Bouche’ has a long life ahead of it. Drink 2020-2030- 93

2018 EFESTĒ ‘Eleni’ Syrah- The 2018 ‘Elini’ is sourced from the esteemed ‘Red Willow Vineyard’ in the Yakima Valley. Wonderful blueberry cordial and mocha tones mingle with smoky minerals on the nose. The palate is dense and highly gratifying. Layers of rich dark fruits collide with minerals, smoked brisket, blueberry pie and dark chocolate shavings. The long finish provides the perfect crescendo. Highly gratifying in its youth, this will provide drinking enjoyment for a decade or more. Drink 2020-2032- 94

2018 EFESTĒ ‘Emmy’ Red Wine- The ‘Emmy’ is a fantastic 100% Syrah entirely sourced from Red Mountain. The wine is dense and hedonistic yet has a fantastic sense of acidity, as the weight doesn’t overwhelm. Layers of bittersweet chocolate and kirsch collide with minerals, smoked meats and blackberry pie. This finishes very long which makes this every bit gratifying. With light tannins, this rich and viscous Syrah will cellar well for at least another decade. Drink 2020-2032- 94

2018 EFESTĒ ‘Ceidleigh’ Syrah- Sourced from their estate vineyard high on Red Mountain, the 2018 ‘Ceidleigh’ Syrah is a dense, gratifying and hedonistic effort by superstar winemaker Mark Fiore. Smoky tones mingle with blackberry compote and black licorice with sagebrush undertones on this intoxicating nose. The palate is fresh and balanced, yet very gratifying. The mouth-watering acidity really adds to the enjoyment as layers of dark currants, blackberry cordial, coffee grounds and underbrush flavors come together with the great sense of acidity. Fantastic to enjoy right now, this beautiful new Syrah will cellar well for another decade or more. Drink 2020-2030- 93

2018 EFESTĒ ‘Estate’ Cabernet Franc- The ‘Estate’ Cabernet Franc is a limited production wine sourced from ‘Angela’s Vineyard’ on Red Mountain. Red bell pepper and kirsch tones combine with blackberry compote and mocha on the nose. The palate is fresh, showing a great viscosity and acidity. Rich dark and blue fruits mingle with minerals and firm tannins on the palate. The long finish really impresses as this fantastic new Cabernet Franc will cellar well for another decade or more. Drink 2020-2032- 93

2018 EFESTĒ ‘Taylor Mag’ Cabernet Sauvignon- This restaurant only wine was entirely sourced from Red Mountain. Ripe kirsch and scorched earth tones combine with blackberry compote on the nose. The palate is well-balanced with great viscosity and tension. Beautiful bright black fruits combine with tar and coffee grounds on the palate. This is seriously good stuff for the price. Drink 2020-2028- 92

2018 EFESTĒ ‘Final Final’ Red Wine- The 2018 ‘Final Final’ is a blend of 55% Syrah with the remainder Cabernet Sauvignon. The smoky aromatics from the Syrah really entice as bright red rose petals, blackberry cordial and dried herbal aromatics all dance in the glass. The palate is dense, chewy and downright delicious, delivering copious dark fruits that mingle with exotic spices, damp terroir and smoked brisket tones. Gorgeous to enjoy right now, this has another eight to ten years ahead of it. Drink 2020-2028- 92

2018 EFESTĒ ‘Upright’ Merlot- The ‘Upright’ Merlot was sourced from the ‘Taylor Mag Vineyard’ on Red Mountain. Once on the nose this takes on ripe red cherry cordial, woven together with creosote, coffee grounds and shades of milk chocolate that all take shape in the glass. The palate is dense and chewy with gorgeous red and dark fruits with dark chocolate shavings, mocha and creosote tones. Delicious to savor right now in its glorious youth, this beautiful Merlot has at least another decade ahead of it. Drink 2020-2033- 93

2018 EFESTĒ ‘Estate’ Petit Verdot- This limited production bottling by Mark Fiore is a scintillating new effort from Red Mountain. Beautifully textured, with great minerality and viscosity, the wine unveils lighter green bell pepper tones with blueberry pie, Turkish coffee and light tannins that line the core of dark fruits. The very long finish completes this great wine that has a very long life ahead of it. Give this an hour decant if enjoying in its youth. Drink 2020-2035- 93

2018 EFESTE ‘Nana’ Red Wine- The 2018 ‘Nana’ is a blend of 62% Merlot with 30% Cabernet Franc and just a splash of Cabernet Sauvignon. Lighter red bell pepper tones combine with chocolate covered red cherry, coffee grounds and shades of baking spices that all meld in the glass. Soft and round, with a silky mouthfeel, this outstanding wine shows a great combination of red and dark fruits, with minerals and tar on the palate. Outstanding to savor in its youth, this beautiful wine will cellar well for the next ten to fifteen years. Drink 2020-2035- 93

2018 EFESTĒ ‘Big Papa’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The ‘Big Papa’ is an homage to Russell Salvatore Ferrelli, who brought his family from Chicago to Seattle in hopes to make wine. This new edition is gorgeous with its herbal tones on the palate, with silky tannins and great viscosity. Layers of pretty red fruits dance with chocolate, espresso bean, scorched earth and the impressive length. A bit tightly wound now, this glorious Cabernet Sauvignon will cellar well for decades to come. Drink 2021-2038- 94

2018 EFESTĒ ‘Tough Guy’ Red Wine- The 2018 ‘Tough Guy’ is an inspired blend of nearly all Merlot (78%) with equal portions Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. Bright red fruits dance with sagebrush and suggestions of baking spices on the nose. The palate is soft and round, with its silky texture. Bright red cherry candy and milk chocolate tones combine with herbal undertones on the palate. Enjoy this beautiful wine over the next ten to fifteen years. Drink 2020-2033- 93