Charlie Hoppes, aka @wa_wineboss, is a Washington wine legend, having formerly served as former head winemaker for Chateau Ste. Michelle. Prior to working at Chateau Ste. Michelle, he attended the world renowned Viticulture and Enology program at the University of California, Davis and in 1988 he graduated with a degree in Agricultural Science and Management with a special emphasis in Viticulture and Enology. After a brief stint in Walla Walla in 1990 at Waterbrook Winery, he began working with superstar winemaker Mike Januik as a member of the winemaking team at Ste. Michelle in Woodinville. In 1993, he became the Head Red Winemaker and managed Ste. Michelle’s newest facility at the time, Canoe Ridge near Paterson, Washington. Hoppes had the pleasure of making the first vintages of Col Solare, from 1995-1998. At the time Col Solare was one of the world’s most inspired partnerships between the Antinori family and Chateau Ste. Michelle.
Hoppes was inspired to start his own project and got the nerve to purchase some land on Red Mountain, founding Fidelitas in 2000 -- and has produced fantastic reds and whites since that time. Fidelitas is known for their red and white Bordeaux blends, as well as their rich Cabernets. Hoppes’s son, Will, serves as Fidelitas GM. Tasting with Will, we were both really pleased with the results from the 2019 wines. These are wines that are clean and have a great underlying freshness that you don’t typically see from Red Mountain.
I loved the new wines coming from the 2019 vintage. Hoppes has done a great job by capturing the vintage, without producing lean or herbal reds. These are less power-packed than the 2018s but show beautiful underlying finesse. Don’t miss out on the gorgeous 2019 Fidelitas ’Estate’ Merlot (OB, 94) which is very classic in its dark fruit profile and is built to age gracefully which is very pretty on the nose and soft once on the attack, with lovely florals. I loved the new 2019 Fidelitas ‘Estate’ Malbec (OB, 94) which is jam-packed full of black and blue fruits, with a terrific acid backbone. Learn more about the great Fidelitas lineup at http://www.fidelitaswines.com/ Here are the great new wine releases from Fidelitas.
2021 Fidelitas ‘Quintessence Vineyard’ Sauvignon Blanc- 100% variétal, this was stored in egg shaped barrels (100% neutral) which gives extended lees contact. Gooseberry and white peach aromas combine with salted Marcona almond on the nose. The texture here is outstanding, as this shows beautiful length and underlying acidity. This is delicious wine to enjoy now. Drink 2022-2028- 92
2021 Fidelitas ‘Red Mountain’ Semillon- Entirely sourced from Artz Vineyard which is run by the Williams family. Fabulous freshness greets you with starfruit and bright pear with nutty and lychee notes. Beautifully textured, enjoy now and over the next five to seven years. Drink 2022-2027- 92
2019 Fidelitas ‘Estate’ Merlot- Coming from a 2015 planting, this is the first Merlot from this estate planting. 100% varietal and aged in a combination of French and American oak, this delivers toasty oak with black currants and chocolate tones that meld on the nose. The palate is soft and delicious with refined tannins and great structure. Generous and concentrated, this is silky Merlot that is built to age well over the next fifteen years. Drink 2022-2037- 94
2019 Fidelitas ‘Quintessence Vineyard’ Merlot- This saw all stainless steel fermentation, this was stored in a combination of French and American oak before bottling. Cocoa powder dusted black cherry and black olives combine with espresso grounds on the nose. This is flat out delicious wine with its deep core of black cherry and black currants on the palate. Enjoy now and over the next fifteen plus years. Drink 2022-2038- 94
2019 Fidelitas ‘Estate’ Malbec- This is now the second vintage of this wine. Sourced from Block 9 of the Estate Vineyard, this was stored in a combination of new and used French and American oak. Utterly complex and delicious, this reveals black currants, blueberry pie, cigar box and shades of dark chocolate shavings on the palate. Sensational to savor now, this is generous, well-structured Malbec that is built to age. Drink 2022-2039- 94
2019 Fidelitas ‘Quintessence Vineyard’ Malbec- 100% varietal, this was stored in a combination of 30% new French oak and 25% new American oak before bottling. Black tea and exotic spices combine with huckleberry pie on the nose. The palate is deep, brooding and wonderfully concentrated, with fantastic underlying finesse. Very round and open, with a plush texture, this has to be up there with the best of its kind in the state. Drink 2022-2038- 94
2019 Fidelitas ‘Estate’ Red Wine- This is another wine that was made for the second vintage, as this blends 50% Cabernet Sauvignon with smaller parts Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. Wonderfully herbal from the 25% Petit Verdot, this delivers intense blackberry and black cherry flavors with pipe tobacco, anise and cocoa powder with green bell pepper accents. Drink 2022-2039- 94
2019 Fidelitas ‘Quintessence Vineyard’ Red Wine- Equal parts Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc (31% each) and equal parts Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon (19% each), this offers garrigue and tar notes that combine wth red florals and black currants on the nose. The palate is refined and elegant, with good concentration and firm tannins that connect with the brilliant core of dark fruits, green herbs and chocolate fudge, with a salty edge. Drink 2022-2038- 94
2019 Fidelitas ‘Estate’ Petit Verdot- Complex, inky and hedonistic, the 2019 ‘Estate’ Petit Verdot by Fidelias shows beautiful green herbal tones on the nose with pencil lead, black currant jelly and creme de violette. The palate is dense and tannic, as this is a hedonistic beast of a wine that really needs another year of barrel age. Beautifully textured, enjoy over the next fifteen plus years. Drink 2023-2039- 94
2019 Fidelitas ‘Estate’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Outstanding now, the 2019 Fidelitas ‘Estate’ Cabernet Sauvignon is a beautiful new Red Mountain red that is built to age. Once on the nose this takes on creme de cassis, Earl Grey tea, milk chocolate covered black cherry and scorched earth notes. The palate is well-balanced and broad-shouldered, with firm tannins that hold in place a rich core of dark fruits, creosote and herbal accents. Consider giving this one more year in the bottle before consuming. Drink 2023-2039- 93
2019 Fidelitas ‘Quintessence Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Also 100% varietal, Charlie Hoppes has made this wine since the 2012 vintage. Aged for 28 months in 70% new French oak, this delivers mocha, tar, anise and brisket notes on the nose. The palate is very deep and rich, yet elegant and has a beautiful tannic backbone. Complex and savory, with herbal undertones, this is delicious wine to consume now and over the next fifteen to twenty years. Drink 2022-2039- 94
2019 Fidelitas ‘Estate’ Cabernet Sauvignon Clone 169- Tannic and massive, the 2019 Fidelitas ‘Estate’ Cabernet Sauvignon Clone 169 comes from a southern slope in the Estate Vineyard which sees a lot of sunshine. The wine is highly fragrant with violet rose petals and Cuban cigar, coffee grounds and shades of pencil lead. Big and burly, with great finesse and structure, with salty undertones, this is highly nuanced Cabernet Sauvignon that needs another year or two in the bottle to fully come together. Drink 2024-2040- 94
2019 Fidelitas ‘Estate’ Cabernet Sauvignon Clone 412- The 2019 Fidelitas ‘Estate’ Cabernet Sauvignon Clone 412 comes from a new block in the 2015 ‘Estate’ planting. This saw extended barrel age of 28 months prior to bottling. Black florals and black olive notes mingle well with mocha and shades of cassis on the nose. The palate is very refined and dense with chewy tannins that combine with ripe huckleberry and blackberry flavors, with copious minerals. This is beautiful, layered, Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink 2023-2040- 94