When I taste a group of wow factor release wines, I am compelled to post immediately on them. Such is the case with the utterly sensational new wines from Corliss Estate, coming from the warm 2016 vintage in Washington. Located right as you enter the downtown area of Walla Walla, Corliss is an ultra-premium producer of red and white wines founded by Michael and Lauri Corliss, in 1999. Corliss has been met with some serious critical acclaim since their first release in 2008. I love how these wines age, as I’ve had the chance to try their 2006 and 2008 red wines over the past year and I can absolutely say that they are still alive and kicking even now at fifteen years. Corliss has a great winemaking team that is helped by famed winemaking consultant Atelier Melka, one of the great winemaking consultants in North America. New director of winemaking Cameron Parry comes from some serious prestige with former winemaking stints at Chateau Montelena and also Groth before coming to Corliss this year.
The team did a phenomenal job with the 2016 Corliss wines. I adored the 2016 Corliss Estates Red Wine (OB, 96) which is one of the great wines made this vintage. The wine has an amazing feel of elegance, yet is dense and plush with brilliant drinkability even now at the five year mark. Even better is the intense yet weightless 2016 Corliss Estate Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 97) which might be the best wine I have ever tasted from this famed estate. This is a glorious warm vintage effort that is sure to satisfy any seriously collector of Washington Cabernet Sauvignon. Learn more about these great wines at http://corlissestates.com Here are the outstanding new release wines from Corliss Estates.
2016 Corliss Estate Syrah- Sourced from the Columbia Valley, the 2016 Corliss Estate Syrah comes from their estate on Red Mountain as well as some fruit from the esteemed ‘Stillwater Creek VIneyard’ in the newly minted Royal Slope AVA. Mocha, cigar ash, huckleberry cordial and shades of smoked brisket all brilliantly combine on the nose. The palate is vibrant and dense, with chewy tannins. A massive wall of dark fruits greet you, with coffee grounds, scorched earth and suggestions of blueberry coilis with smoky undertones. Complex and magnificent in its unadulterated youth, this has fifteen years ahead of it. Drink 2021-2036- 95
2016 Corliss Estate Red WIne- The 2016 Corliss Estate Red Wine combines a large portion of Cabernet Franc (69%) with 28% Cabernet Sauvignon and a splash of Petit Verdot. Needing a full in the decanter to be aroused, this slowly unveils layers of dark currants and sagebrush woven together with tar, graphite and anise tones that all build in the glass. I love the beautiful blueberry components on the palate, showing a brilliant combination of elegance and decadence. The weightless sensation mid-palate is particularly eye-catching. Nothing short of scintillating at the five year mark, I have little doubt this will be a twenty year wine. Drink 2021-2040- 96
2016 Corliss Estate Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2016 Corliss Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the great wines made in this warm vintage. Entirely sourced from this estate vineyard on Red Mountain, this opens with a hedonistic bouquet of Turkish coffee, black tea, exotic spices and a knockout core of black and blue fruits that all sing in unison. The palate is silky, concentrated and shows a vibrant sensation of acidity. The wine effortlessly glides across the mid-palate. Mocha, creosote, Black Forest Cake and blueberry cordial flavors all brilliantly combine. The gorgeous length adds to the enjoyment. Be sure to give this a one plus hour decant if enjoying in its youth. Drink 2021-2044- 97