I love Washington wines with great soul and personality. For about a decade, Avennia has been producing great wines that embody poise, terroir and good richness. A partnership between former Microsoft executive Marty Taucher and superstar winemaker Chris Peterson, Avennia focuses on high quality Rhone and Bordeaux style wines. One of the state’s great winemakers, Chris Peterson was formerly DeLille Cellars winemaker for many years prior to starting Avennia. I had the great chance to sit down with him for Instagram Live this summer. Articulate and highly intelligent, Chris has a very polished style to his winemaking that combines new world richness with old world poise and aging potential.
I loved the new 2018 Avennia ‘Sestina’ Red Wine (OB, 94) which has tons of finesse and really needs another year of bottle age to fully hit its stride. Even better was the very pretty and refined 2018 Avennia ‘Valery’ Red Wine (OB, 95) which has seriously good range and is a downright gorgeous Right Bank style Washington wine. These wines are not to be missed for any serious collector of Washington red wine. Learn more about these special wines at avennia.com Here are my reviews of the two new Avennia wines.
2018 Avennia ‘Sestina’ Red Wine- The 2018 ‘Sestina’ is a gorgeous blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, and 7% Cabernet Franc. Sourced from some esteemed sites like the Red Willow and Dionysus Vineyards, the wine showcases anise and sagebrush aromatic tones alongside dark currant jelly and shades of black cherry syrup that all meld together. The palate is soft, round and generous, showing a beautiful sense of balance. Ripe blackberry jelly and mocha tones collide with smoky minerals, saline drenched boysenberry and firm tannins holding everything in place. This has a long life ahead of it and try to give this at least another year before consuming. Drink 2022-2041- 94
2018 Avennia ‘Valery’ Red Wine- Inspired by the great wines of the Right Bank of Bordeaux, this outstanding wine blends 89% Boushey Vineyard Merlot, and 11% Champoux Vineyard Cabernet Franc which is a downright steal at only 50 dollars. Damp earth and ripe red currant aromatics are woven together with tobacco leaf, and coffee grounds on the nose. The palate is wonderfully revealing with its deep core of red and dark fruits with espresso and tar tones. This is thrilling stuff to enjoy even at the three year mark. Be sure to give this at least a two hour decant if enjoying in its youth. Drink 2022-2041- 95