One of the outstanding Riesling wines produced in Washington, I’ll admit that I was a bit surprised initially when Chris Figgins released his first Riesling wine. Chris described why he planted Riesling. “The decision to plant some Riesling at FIGGINS was manyfold. First, I had one small panel of the property that was perfectly plantable, but I didn't feel would be warm enough to ripen Bordeaux varieties due to its NW aspect and a draw that directs cold air towards it. So I focused on varietals I knew I could get ripe and thus Riesling. I thought since FIGGINS is a vineyard of place inspired by legacy....what better to do that honor the very startup of Leonetti which had Riesling for the first four or five vintages. I distinctly remember as a very young child drinking freshly squeezed Riesling juice from the mouth of the press and how amazing it was! I've really enjoyed working with Riesling and feel like it was the right decision to plant in this small parcel.”
For those who have never tried the FIGGINS Riesling, it shows a mesmerizing sense of minerality regardless of vintage. The wines have slowly been becoming less sweet and are made more in the Trocken style than the Kabinett style. Flavors typically range from green apple and green papaya to pretty white florals and lemon/lime. One thing I noticed as I tasted a vertical of the Riesling is the older bottling were even more refined and soft. They might not have the same degree of tension but were very round on the mouth. I adored the 2015 FIGGINS Riesling (OB, 94) which is absolutely singing now at the six year mark. This wine is extremely refined and is a remarkable achievement from what was not an easy vintage for white wines. The new wine the 2020 FIGGINS Riesling (OB, 93) is fresh and vibrant with a stony edge. This is truly one of the great Riesling wines you will find in North America. Learn more about this very special project at http://www.figginswine.com Here are my notes from the FIGGINS Riesling vertical tasting.
2015 FIGGINS Riesling- The 2015 FIGGINS Riesling is showing marvelously now at the six year mark. A beautifully golden hue, this opens with petrol and green apple notes alongside wet stone and orange blossom that all take shape in the glass. The palate is beautifully refined with a silky texture. This is very ‘Trocken’ style with a seamless texture and wonderful sense of weight. The wine is quite astonishing considering the challenges of the vintage but the feeling of weight mid-palate is particularly inviting. Gorgeous now, this is really drinking in its perfect place. While I think this has several years to go, why wait? Drink 2021-2026- 94
2018 FIGGINS Riesling- The 2018 FIGGINS Riesling is a remarkable achievement from this fantastic vintage. Right away the wine is very perfumed with lemon blossom, gardenia and white peach, with lighter petrol undertones, all giving this plenty of exotic appeal. The palate is fresh and lively with bright acidity and a gorgeous sense of mouthfeel. The length here is outstanding as melon and citrus rind tones combine with wet stone and shades of wild mushroom on the palate. Gorgeous now, this has a long way to go. Drink 2021-2031- 93
2019 FIGGINS Riesling- The 2019 FIGGINS Riesling is really singing now at the two year mark. The nose is particularly high-toned with white flowers and orange rind aromatics that mingle with shades of cardamom and beeswax on this complex bouquet. The palate is lithe and beautifully textured with great length and acidity, showing honeydew, lemon oil and stony undertones. Gorgeous now, this has a long way to go, just like the 2018. Drink 2021-2031- 93
2020 FIGGINS Riesling- The new release by FIGGINS coming from the 2020 vintage is utterly fantastic now in its playful youth. Once on the nose this takes on layers of lemon zest and honey, alongside baking spices, ginger and shades of damp earth that all meld in the glass. The palate reveals just a kiss of sweetness with lemon cake, marzipan, quince and stony undertones. Seriously esteemed and bright in its youth, this has another decade to go. Drink 2021-2031- 93