I love boutique wineries that are producing outstanding wines that command a reasonable price tag, it had been several years since I have visited the lineup at Guardian Cellars and I was due a revisit. Jerry Riener, a chemist, turned cop, had been volunteering 40-plus hours a week at several wineries, including Mark Ryan Winery and Matthews Cellars. More than twelve years ago Guardian Cellars started with a production of 350 cases. Today Guardian produces over 9,000 cases of wine. Jerry maintains his day job as a cop alongside his co-founder, Jennifer Sullivan who manages their tasting room and works as a reporter for KOMO Seattle.
The wines have great structure and richness, taken from the 2016 and 2017 vintages. I love the 2016 Guardian Cellars ‘The Rookie’ Cabernet Sauvignon (WWB, 92) which is dense with a great sense of mouthfeel. Just as good was the 2017 Guardian Cellars ‘The Informant’ Syrah (WWB, 92) which is wonderfully smoky and shows bacon fat and spicy tones on the palate. Learn more about this fantastic boutique winery at https://www.guardiancellars.com Here are the great new releases by Guardian Cellars.
2017 Guardian ‘Confidential Source’ Merlot- Sourced from a host of great vineyards across the Columbia Valley, the 2017 ‘Confidential Source’ shows plenty of dark fruits with toasty oak on the nose. The palate shows good structure with layers of red and dark fruits with shades of tar and milk chocolate. This has great balance. Drink 2020-2028- 91
2017 Guardian Cellars ‘Chalk Line’ Red Wine- The ‘Chalk Line’ is a great blend of mostly Cabernet Sauvignon (55%) with smaller portions Merlot, Syrah and Petit Verdot. Lighter herbal tones collide with blackberry compote and leather on the nose. The structure and weight is really good as downright delicious dark kirsch, blackberry pie and mocha flavors connect with the bright sense of minerality. Drink 2020-2030- 91
2017 Guardian Cellars ‘Gun Metal’ Red Wine- The 2017 ‘Gun Metal’ by Guardian is a blend of mainly Merlot and Cabernet Franc sourced from the Connor Lee and Stone Tree Vineyards. A nice herbal dusting combines with the core of dark fruits and coffee grounds on the nose. The palate is really nicely balanced, with bright acidity that mingles with the core of red and dark fruits, with coffee ground, sagebrush and milk chocolate flavors. Enjoy this beautiful wine over the next decade. Drink 2020-2030- 92
2016 Guardian Cellars ‘The Rookie’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2016 ‘The Rookie’ Cabernet Sauvignon was sourced from the Klipsun, Quintessence and Obelisco Vineyards. The nose is nicely hedonistic with sagebrush, espresso bean and blackberry compote aromas that all mingle in the glass. The palate is plush, delivering a good sense of mouthfeel and texture. Layers of kirsch, anise and blackberry cordial combine with the herbal undertones of the wine. Outstanding to enjoy at this stage, the 2016 ‘The Rookie’ has a long life ahead of it. Drink 2020-2033- 92
2017 Guardian Cellars ‘The Informant’ Syrah- The 20117 ‘The Informant’ has 3% Viognier blended in. Smoky tones combine with sage and the core of dark fruits on the nose. The palate is full-bodied and has a great sense of mouthfeel, weight and texture. Layers of bacon fat, blackberry pie, exotic spices and smoked pork shoulder all brilliantly combine. Gorgeous now, enjoy this outstanding new wine over the next ten years. Drink 2020-2030- 92