As we roll on through Washington Wine Month we bring you a winery you may have never heard of producing some really good wines from the Red Mountain AVA. The tasting room originally opened its doors in 2007 with the release of its 2005 vintage produced by original owners Doug and Shelly Smith. Mark and Sarah Lathrop took over the operation in January 2016 with the intent of making the same big bold reds.
The owners met back in 2005 at Eastern Washington University’s MBA program and they both found a love of wine together. Fast forward 10 years they ended up purchasing Liberty Lake Cellars together. I really enjoyed the new wines across the board, including the 2018 Liberty Lake Cellars Tempranillo (OB, 90) which is big and bold for the varietal. Also impressive is the 2018 Liberty Lake Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 91) which is dense and has ripe dark fruit flavors alongside good freshness. Learn more about this exciting winery at http://www.libertylakewinecellars.com Here are the new wines by Liberty Lake.
2018 Liberty Lake Cellars Tempranillo- Sourced from the ‘Red Heaven Vineyard’ on Red Mountain, this shows nice toasty oak tones that mingle with blackberry, sagebrush and milk chocolate flavors on the palate. Forward with its style of juicy dark fruits, this is downright delicious stuff that is drinking beautifully even at the three year mark. Drink 2021-2026- 90
2018 Liberty Lake Cellars ‘Heart of the Hill Vineyard’ Carmenere- I have had very few Carmenere bottling from this vineyard, but this edition really impresses, as this is pure Washington Carmenere. The whiff of bell pepper on the nose invites you, as the wine takes on a nice sense of texture. I love the varietal typicality here as rich dark fruits parade with red bell pepper, sagebrush and dark chocolate shavings. Delicious to savor now, this has another decade of life ahead of it. Drink 2021-2030- 92
2018 Liberty Lake Cellars Cabernet Franc- The 2018 Liberty Lake Cabernet Franc is another seriously good bottling. Taking on a soft mouthfeel, the ‘Scoony Flats Vineyard’ Cabernet Franc shows rich cassis and dark chocolate tones alongside damp soil and dried herbs on the palate. Full-bodied and delicious, with good structure and weight, this will deliver drinking enjoyment for at least another decade. Drink 2021-2033- 91
2018 Liberty Lake Cabernet Sauvignon- Rich, viscous, and showing good intensity, the 2018. Liberty Lake Cabernet Sauvignon is a strong showing from this great vintage on Red Mountain. Macerated cherry and roasted figs collide with minerals, coffee grounds and chocolate cake flavors on the palate. Delightful to savor in its youth, this will drink well for another decade or more. Drink 2021-2033- 91
2018 Liberty Lake ‘The Golden Ticket’ Red Wine- A Reserve bottling by them which is mainly Cabernet Franc and Merlot (27% each), with smaller portions Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Carmenere and Petit Verdot, this shows off tar and black licorice tones alongside good acidity and firm tannins that hold everything in place. Rich and decadent, this will cellar well over the next ten to fifteen years. Drink 2021-2033- 91
2018 Liberty Lake ‘Reserve’ Syrah- The 2018 Liberty Lake ‘Reserve’ Syrah shows forward and juicy dark fruits with creosote and bacon fat undertones. Full-bodied and delicious now, enjoy over the next five to seven years. Drink 2021-2027- 90