Upchurch Vineyard Vertical Tasting

As we all sat and marveled at the wines, we began with a marvelous speech by the maestro himself. Famed Washington winemaker Chris Upchurch talked about his background at DeLille and producing one of North America’s top Bordeaux style white wines before starting his own project, Upchurch Vineyard. We all sat and listened as he shared his thoughts on each individual vintage. It was such a fantastic tasting experience going back into time and tasting every vintage of Upchurch Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon. Most of the wines were graciously brought by my friend Erik Meyer. 

One thing that struck me was the consistent fruit quality exhibited in each wine. Obviously coming from Red Mountain and a very warm growing environment that brings challenges and advantages each vintage. One thing that stuck me was how well the cold vintage wines showed. I was floored with the 2010 Upchurch Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 93) which is refined and showing a Bordelaise edge now at the eleven year mark. Another surprise was the sinfully good 2013 Upchurch Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 95) which was silky and dense with refined tannins and a massive core of dark fruits. The best wines that we tried for my palate were the 2012, 2014 and 2018 wines (all OB, 96). These wines shared a similar vein in the weightless character as well as the elegance and power, with 2014 showing the most power and 2012 the most elegance. These are some of the best Cabernet Sauvignon wines made in their respective vintages. Learn more about these sensational wines at upchurchvineyard.com and here are my tasting notes from my Upchurch Vineyard Vertical Tasting. 

2010 Upchurch Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon- Taken from this cool vintage, the 2010 Upchurch Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon shows off dark florals with red bell pepper and sagebrush tones alongside huckleberry on the nose. The palate is savory and refined with layers of rich dark fruits and chocolate tones alongside menthol undertones on the palate. This is truly singing right now. I would drink this over the next few years. Drink 2021-2026- 93

2011 Upchurch Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon- Showing brilliantly considering the coolness of the vintage, the 2011 Upchurch Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon opens with ripe red fruits that collide with black tea and shades of milk chocolate on the palate. This is a touch leaner but shows really good finesse and a soft mouthfeel. This is definitely at its peak. Drink 2021-2024- 92

2012 Upchurch Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon- Singing and highly youthful now at the nine year mark, the 2012 Upchurch Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon shows highly perfumed black rose and red bell pepper, tobacco and rich black fruits. The palate is silky and elegant with light tannins that frame wild blackberry cordial and coffee ground flavors with shades of graphite. This beauty is absolutely singing now and has another decade to go. Drink 2021-2031- 96

2013 Upchurch Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2013 Upchurch Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon is a highly perfumed and intense effort that is absolutely sensational to enjoy right now. The palate is dense, decadent and downright magical. Tar and anise tones combine with blueberry compote, boysenberry and smoky minerals on the palate. Dense and showing a hedonistic bent, this extraordinary effort is right at the perfect spot. Right now this powerhouse wine shows no signs of giving up. Drink 2021-2033- 95

2014 Upchurch Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon- I adore the 2014 Upchurch Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon which is really just starting to shed its baby fat. Ripe dark currants collide with smoke, sweet pipe tobacco, dark florals and sandalwood tones that all take shape in the glass. The palate is plush, dense and highly hedonistic. Layers of creme de cassis, anise, dark chocolate covered espresso bean, leather, garrigue and huckleberry come together on the palate, with firm tannins and a sterling tension. Gorgeous to enjoy now at the seven year mark , this gratifying effort will continue to provide drinking enjoyment for at least another decade. Drink 2021-2035- 96

2015 Upchurch Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2015 Upchurch Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon is showing brilliantly now and is probably peaking at this juncture. Once on the nose this takes on rich dark fruits with creosote and scorched earth toners. The p[alate is dense and hedonistic with layers of black fruits with firm tannins and tar with tobacco leaf. Drink 2021-20231- 94

2016 Upchurch Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon- Stunning now at five years, the 2016 Upchurch Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon exudes class with sagebrush tones that combine with boysenberry preserves, black rose and shades of tar on the nose. The palate is dense and plush with a soft mouthfeel. Tar, anise and creme de cassis collide with minerals and herbal undertones on the palate. Gorgeous now, this is really only starting to hit its stride. Drink 2021-2038- 95

2017 Upchurch Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2017 Upchurch Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon takes the lead with gorgeous black floral aromatics that mingle with espresso bean, black currants and tar. The palate is soft and highly gratifying.Layers of rich dark fruits collide with tar, Turkish coffee, marionberry cobbler and black licorice with anise accents all marvelously combine. Silky tannins and a very long finish add to the enjoyment here as this beautiful wine will cellar well for at least another fifteen years. Drink 2021-2038- 95

2018 Upchurch Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon- Massive and brooding, the 2018 Upchurch Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon is a sensational effort in this fabulous vintage for red wine on Red Mountain. Once on the nose pretty dark florals combine with espresso bean and blackberry cordial tones that all meld in the glass. The palate is deep, concentrated and downright seductive. Mocha, anise, creme de cassis and blueberry pie flavors provide an exotic edge. Simply magical in its youth, this has another twenty years head of it. Drink 2021-2040- 96