I love tasting with Jeff Lindsay-Thorsen. A wealth of knowledge and boasting some very extensive wine and wine service experience, I always know what I am going to get when speaking with him. For years I have loved these wines and purchased many for my personal collection. The wines that he makes are not surprisingly very somm-friendly with most serving as killer foils for a range of foods. Over the years the wines have gotten better and better, as the current releases show the highest degree of consistency that I can remember from this lineup. The wines are precise with a beginning, middle and an end.
It is hard to believe that Jeff Lindsay-Thorsen co-founded W.T. Vintners back in 2007. An advanced sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers, Jeff also serves as wine director at what was one of Seattle’s finest restaurants, RN74. For years I have leaned on his vast wine knowledge while dining there, always looking to try new ideas from obscure regions from across the globe.
Jeff’s winemaking style tends to be non-interventional, as he sources from some of the great vineyards in Washington including the Boushey Vineyard and the Stoney Vine Vineyard. I adored his new 2018 W.T. Vintners ‘Stoney Vine Vineyard’ Syrah (OB, 94) which is fresh, vibrant and has gobs of Rocks character. Nearly as good was the 2018 W.T. Vintners ‘Boushey Vineyard’ Syrah (OB, 93) whic his silky, earthy and highly refined. Learn more about these beautiful new wines at http://www.wtvintners.com Here are the great pre-release new wines by W.T. Vintners.
2018 W.T. Vintners ‘Seven Springs Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The 2018 W.T. Vintners ‘Seven Springs Vineyard’ Pinot Noir underwent a 25% whole cluster fermentation before bottling. This was aged in less than 10% new oak as this reveals ripe red cherry tones that mingle with orange blossom, red florals and red currants all dazzle together on the nose. The palate is fleshy and fresh with a great veil of tension. Sour cherry and pomegranate seed flavors meld with salty earth with blood orange zest and shades of wild mushroom all angle on the palate. This is just sensational now and will provide drinking enjoyment for another decade or more. Drink 2021-2033- 93
2018 W.T. Vintners ‘Stoney Vine Vineyard’ Syrah- Picked early and weighing in at only 12.1% alcohol, this shows gorgeous crushed wet rock aromas on the nose with green olives and smoked brisket on this outstanding nose. The palate is very refined with a silky mouthfeel and a fantastic beam of minerality. The Umami character her is fantastic with seaweed and soy sauce that mingle with venison, iron and blood orange zest. The sense of salinity here is outstanding, as this beautiful wine will cellar well for the next eight plus years. Drink 2021-2029- 94
2018 W.T. Vintners ‘Grand Cote’ Syrah- The 2018 ‘Grand Cote’ is sourced from a vineyard roughly two miles of Dick Boushey’s house from Phelps Clone Syrah planted back in 1993. The vineyard is set on loamy soils. Ripe dark currants combine with black pepper, cigar ash and creosote tones that all take shape in the glass. The palate is deep and bold with great fruit weight and concentration. Marionberry pie and Earl Grey tea and dark currants combine with tilled soils and violets on the palate. The wine is refined and bold yet has a very pretty character. Drink 2021-2031- 93
2018 W.T. Vintners ‘Boushey Vineyard’ Mourvedre- This underwent 75% whole cluster fermentation as the wine saw a longer maceration period. The smoky tones are fantastic as white pepper and brisket tones mingle with blackberry compote and creosote tones on the nose. The palate is fresh and vibrant with great acidity. Layers of wild blackberry and teaberry combine with orange rind, smoked Kielbasa and green peppercorns and stony undertones all deftly combine on the palate. Gorgeous now, this has another decade of life ahead of it. Drink 2021-2031- 93
2018 W.T. Vintners ‘Columbia Valley’ Syrah- This has just a touch of Mourvedre and Grenache blended in. The wine opens with smoked meats dusted with white pepper, alongside violets and black tea. The palate is salty and savory with good freshness. At a mere 25 bucks, this is a steal. Drink 2021-2026- 92