Seth Kitzke has slowly become one of the great young talents in Washington wine. Due to the pandemic, I had last met with Seth at my 2020 Washington Wine Blog event more than a year ago. This time we were tasting together at his exciting new production facility outside of Richland, Washington.
A few years back Seth and his wife, Audrey founded Upsidedown Wine, a winery that contributes to several great causes. The winery gives back through every bottle of their wine sold. If you order direct or join their wine club, 20% of the proceeds go to support these non-profit charity organizations including the Young & Brave organization. This is for a seriously good cause. Seth has now been in the industry for many years, having studied wine under Regina Daigneault, and previously working with Brennon Leighton at K Vitners/Charles Smith Wines as well as Brian Carter Cellars with Brian Carter.
Seth has a love for texture in his wines. The wines he crafts have really good mouthfeel and finesse. A killer value is his 2020 Upsidedown Wine Rescue Rose (OB, 91) which was one of the top wines on my 2021 Pacific Northwest Rose Report. I loved his F@*#!! ‘Birds + Things + Flowers’ Syrah (OB, 92) which is a sensational value and shows great finesse and range. Do not miss out on the deeply concentrated 2018 Upsidedown Wine ‘Lalonde’ Red Wine (OB, 94) which is a limited production, seamless wine that is more full-throttle off of Red Mountain. Learn more about this great winery at http://drinkupsidedownwine.com Here are the excellent new wines by Seth Kizke and by Upsidedown Wine and Kitzke Family Wines.
2020 Upsidedown Wine ‘Rescue’ Rose- The ‘Rescue’ Rose saw a touch of puncheon fermentation as this was largely aged in stainless steel. Right away the wine shows pretty white rose petals with white peach, red raspberry and stony undertones on the nose. The palate is fresh and vibrant with great acidity. Layers of pretty red fruits collide with minerals, citrus rind and wet stone accents on the palate. Drink 2021-2025- 91
2020 Cluster F@*#!! ‘Sans Soufre’ Grenache- The 2020 ‘Sans Soufre’ Grenache shows wet stone and pretty red fruits with kumquat zest on the nose. Fresh and vibrant this has a very pretty red fruit profile with wet stone and orange rind accents that connect with guava, red raspberry and red flowers. Drink 2021-2023- 90
2020 Cluster F@*#!! Grenache- The 2020 2020 Cluster F@*#!! Grenache is sourced from the northern part of the Columbia Valley, as this yields super fresh and crunchy red fruits that combine with volcanic stones, making this a very stony profile. With great finesse, this is best enjoyed over the next several years. Drink 2021-2025- 91
2019 Cluster F@*#!! ‘Birds + Things + Flowers’ Syrah- This northern Columbia Valley Syrah has 5% Viognier co-fermented in. Right away this shows off wet stone and smoky tines with pretty dark rose florals that all meld in the glass. The palate is plush and wonderfully smoky. Layers of black tea and smoked brisket with lush dark fruits and a good sense of minerality. Drink 2021-2027- 92
2018 Upsidedown Wine ‘Gold Drop’ Malbec- Sourced from the ‘Dead Poplar Vineyard’ this shows off dark flowers with chocolate and blueberry compote aromatics. The palate is plush with great flavor density. Black and blue fruits with stony minerals, white pepper and really good length. This is seriously good Malbec that is built to age. Drink 2021-2033- 93
2018 Upsidedown Wine ‘Cross Block’ Mourvedre- The 2018 ‘Cross Block’ Mourvedre is sourced from the ‘Coyote Canyon Vineyard’ in the Horse Heaven Hills AVA. The palate is fresh and super savory with salted meats, black olives, red cherry candy, red florals and shades of lavender. Complex, novel and highly delicious, this beautiful wine will be best enjoyed over the next decade. Drink 2021-2031- 93
2018 Upsidedown Wine ‘Lalonde’ Red Wine- This is a field blend from the Red Heaven Vineyard’ which is mostly Grenache and Syrah that went through 100% whole cluster fermentation. This was then aged in puncheons for 30 months before bottling. The nose is really pretty showing red florals from the Grenache alongside red currants, strawberry and smoky tones on this evocative bouquet. The palate shows good flavor density with mostly red fruits with smoked pork shoulder, charcuterie and finishing extremely long. The combination of sweet, sour and salty components really make this sing. Drink 2021-2031- 94
2018 Upsidedown Wine ‘Artist Series’ Syrah- Sourced from the ‘Candy Ridge Vineyard’ the 2018 ‘Artist Series’ as this underwent 100% whole cluster fermentation and was aged in new oak puncheon before bottling. Once on the palate this shows off pretty red rose petals with smoked brisket and black olives with salty undertones on the palate. The wine has marvelous length and tension with a silky mouthfeel. Drink 2021-2031-93
2018 The Devil Is A Liar Red Wine- A blend of Grenache, Syrah and a touch of Grenache Blanc all sourced from the WeatherEye Vineyard, this shows a very pretty red fruit profile with crushed wildflowers, orange rind, wet stone and underbrush and a beautiful sense of texture. A light dusting of salinity adds to the enjoyment as this shows incredible finesse throughout the drinking experience. Gorgeous now, this is best enjoyed over the next eight years while the wonderful freshness remains. Drink 2021-2029- 94
2019 The Devil Is A Liar Grenache (BARREL SAMPLE 93-95)
2018 Kitzke ‘Janaina Reserve’ Red Wine- A Super Tuscan style wine utilizing 75% Sangiovese with smaller parts Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and CabernetFranc, the ‘Janaina Reserve’ shows off rich red and dark fruits alongside toffee and salty undertones. Drink 2021-2033- 92
2018 Kitzke Cabernet Franc- Right away this shows off nice sagebrush and black tea aromatics that all take place in the glass. Rich dark fruits collide with dark chocolate and sagebrush with salty undertones all impress on the palate. Drink 2021-2033- 92
2018 Kitzke ‘Old Vine Reserve’ Red Wine- The 2018 ‘Old Vine Reserve’ Red Wine shows dense dark and blue fruits alongside black tea, anise and cassis flavors. The light dusting of salinity and good length really entice as this has a long way to go in the cellar. Drink 2021-2033- 92
2018 Kitzke Petit Verdot- Inky once in the glass, the wine shows off black tea, blackberry cobbler, mocha and espresso bean flavors with milk chocolate undertones. Stony and fresh with salty undertones, this is dense and plush Petit Verdot that will cellar well for at least another decade. Drink 2021-2033- 92