As we continue on Washington Wine Month we bring you one of the SoDo spots I’ve loved tasting at for years. Some seriously good value-driven wines, Structure Cellars focuses their program on high quality red wine that won’t damage your pocketbook. At the helm is Brian Grasso, a former sommelier that trained under Washington wine legend 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 Love Beats Pagne (https://www.lovebeatspagne.com)
Stop in to Structure Cellars and you will no doubt see Brian tasting people through their lineup, with 90s hip hop playing in the background. A lot of heads will be bopping. The new wines were outstanding across the board. A killer value is his 2018 Structure Cellars ‘Foundation’ Red Wine (OB, 91) which is fresh and shows a nice range, blending Cabernet Franc and Mouvedre. I adored his 2018 Structure Cellars ‘Stillwater Creek Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 93) which has gorgeous finesse and really nice dark fruit and non fruit tones. Learn more about these excellent wines at structurecellars.com Here are the great new wines by Structure Cellars.
2018 Structure Cellars ‘Foundation’ Red Wine- This blend comprised of Cabernet Franc (66%) and Mourvedre (34%) shows a soft. Mouthfeel with lighter herbal tones that mingle with milk chocolate, dried herbs and dark cherry syrup on the palate. Medium-bodied and delicious to savor now, I could see this pairing magically with rack of lamb. Drink 2021-2028- 91
2018 Structure Cellars ‘Red Willow Vineyard’ Cabernet Franc- Sourced from this famed site in the Yakima Valley, pretty red florals and red currants with shades of tobacco leaf all mark the nose. The palate is fresh and vibrant with great acidity. Layers of red fruits dance with minerals, sagebrush and shades of yellow bell pepper on the palate. Tightly wound now, give this at least an hour of air if enjoying in its youth. Drink 2021-2031- 92
2018 Structure Cellars ‘Boushey Vineyard’ Cabernet Franc- Even more fragrant than the ‘Red Willow Vineyard’ bottling, the 2018 ‘Boushey Vineyard’ Cabernet Franc has a gorgeous range of red and dark florals, with cassis and blackberry compote tones all marking the nose. The palate has a lovely freshness and great finesse. This finishes very long with bright red fruits and minerals. Be sure to give this a two hour decant if enjoying now. Drink 2021-2031- 92
2018 Structure Cellars ‘Stillwater Creek Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- For many years the ‘Stillwater Creek Vineyard’ has been one of the unique parcels of land that grows everything from fresh and vibrant Chardonnay to inky Syrah. Anise, dark currant jelly and tar tones all combine brilliantly on the nose. The palate is restrained but very refined with firm tannins holding a great core of espresso bean, black fruits and tar flavors together. Try to resist this beautiful wine for another. year. Drink 2022-2033- 93
2018 Structure Cellars ‘Wallula Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- I adore this new wine made by the talented Brian Grasso that has great freshness and mid-palate ripeness. Creme de cassis and a light dusting of salinity mingle with tar and sweet pipe tobacco tones on the palate. The finesse is really nice, as is the length, as this outstanding 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon will cellar well for at least another decade. Try giving this a two hour decant if enjoying now. Drink 2021-2033- 93
2018 Structure Cellars ‘Triomphe’ Mourvedre- The 2018 ‘Triomphe’ is 100% Mourvedre sourced from the Upland Vineyard. The smoky and rich dark fruit tones make this exceedingly easy to savor even in its youth, as salted bacon, green olives and leather tones add to the enjoyment. With a good sense of mouthfeel, this finesse-driven Mourvedre is best enjoyed over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2021-2029- 92
2018 Structure Cellars ‘Wallula Vineyard’ Syrah- This awesome and inky Syrah shows Smoked brisket with black olive tapenade and wild blackberry preserves on the nose. The palate is plush and very saturated with great mouth-watering acidity. Layers of ripe dark fruits collide with creosote, smoked pork shoulder and shades of salty damp earth all add to the enjoyment. Drink 2021-2029- 93
2018 Structure Cellars ‘Red Willow Vineyard’ Syrah- One of the iconic spots for Washington Syrah, I very fondly recall David Lake Red Willow bottling from the late 90s. This terrific rendition shows very good range on the palate from blood orange and summer sausage to iodine and black currants on the palate. Still a bit tightly wound, be sure to give this lots of air if enjoying now. Drink 2021-2029- 92