The Washington Wine Community is grateful that a partnership was made between former Microsoft executive Marty Taucher and superstar winemaker Chris Peterson. Together they formed Avennia — one of the great Washington wineries that produces nothing short of a stunning range of wines. One of the most consistently great producers of Rhone style wines and top class Bordeaux style reds, Chris Peterson formerly served as DeLille Cellars winemaker before starting this partnership with Taucher. The wines he makes for Avennia have beautiful structure, finesse and flavor density. There are no duds in this new lineup which comes from the 2020 and 2019 vintages — years that have produced mixed results for Washington wine.
Don’t miss out on the stunning 2020 Avennia ‘La Perle’ White Wine (OB, 93) which improves with an hour of air and is beautifully textured Southern Rhone style wine. I was blown away with the 2019 Avennia ‘Arnaut’ Syrah (OB, 95) which is deep and concentrated with the wonderful Northern Rhone profile that this site produces. Learn more about these special wines at avennia.com Here are my reviews of the two new Avennia wines.
2020 Avennia ‘Oliane’ Sauvignon Blanc- Sourced from the Boushey (70%) and Red Willow (30%) Vineyards, the gorgeous tenth edition ‘Oliane’ is a rousing rendition that shows some good cellaring potential. Honeysuckle, white peach and kiwi tones all combine on the nose, with wet stone undercurrents. The palate is vibrant with a seamless texture and good depth and finesse. Finishing long, this is very refined Sauvignon Blanc that is best served a bit warmer for its full aromatic and flavor expression. Drink 2022-2029- 93
2020 Avennia ‘La Perle’ White Wine- A Southern Rhone inspired blend of 65% Roussanne and 35% Marsanne, the really good 2020 ‘La Perle’ evokes fragrant star jasmine, lychee and Pink Lady apple aromas that all meld in the glass. Soft and seamless on the mouth, this glides throughout the drinking experience, finishing very long with vanilla cream and minerals. Drink 2022-2030- 93
2021 Avennia ‘L’Egerie’ Rose- This beautiful, salmon-colored 2021 Rose was sourced from the Columbia Valley, and blends 75% Grenache with the reminder Mourvedre. Very delicate aromas of teaberry and guava puree greet you, with red rose water and hints of tangerine peel. The palate is very fresh and focused, with pinpoint balance. Nectarine and cranberry notes mingle well with strawberry and suggestions of wet stone. Drink 2022-2029- 92
2020 Avennia ‘Justine’ Red Wine- The 2020 ‘Justine’ is sourced from the Upland, Kiona and Boushey Vineyards. A blend of 60% Grenache with smaller parts Syrah and Mourvèdre, this shows off asphalt with garrigue and shades of boysenberry. The palate is beautifully textured, with great underlying finesse and salty undercurrents. The purity of red fruits here is beautiful. Drink 2022-2030- 93
2020 Avennia ‘Arnaut’ Syrah- 100% varietal Boushey Vineyard Syrah coming from plantings bake in the 1990s. The 2020 ‘Arnaut’ shows gorgeous aromas of black olive tapenade, bulls blood, graphite and suggestions of blackberry cordial. The hedonistic bouquet brings you back to the glass for more enjoyment. The palate is very elegant and beautifully textured, with serious underlying tension and a light dusting of salinity. Finishing very long and pure this is a more elegant version of ‘Arnaut’ that will easily cellar for another fifteen years. Drink 2022-2036- 95
2019 Avennia ‘Gravera’ Red Wine- The 2019 ‘Gravera’ Red Wine is a dense and chewy effort that is drinking marvelously now at the three year mark. Once on the nose this shows off graphite, black currants and anise tones that combine with beautiful black florals. The palate is soft and enticing with smooth tannins that frame a core of rich dark fruits with chocolate and coffee ground notes. Drink 2022-2032- 93
2019 Avennia ‘Valery’ Red Wine- The 2019 ‘Valery’ is a blend of 88% Merlot (1986 Boushey Vineyard Planting) with the remainder Cabernet Franc (Champoux Vineyard). Very faint red florals and and red bell pepper notes combine with suggestions of fresh sage, dusty soils and black cherry compote. The palate is salty and savory with downright killer concentration and length. This is very elegant wine that shows good depth considering the vintage. Drink 2022-2036- 94
2019 Avennia ‘Sestina’ Red Wine- The 2019 ‘Sestina’ is a gorgeous blend of old vine 77% Cabernet Sauvignon with smaller parts Merlot and Cabernet Franc. On the nose this takes on beautiful black florals with sagebrush, scorched earth and loamy soils. The palate is refined and elegant, with good concentration and a gorgeous purity of black fruits and serious length. This will age gracefully for two decades. Drink 2022-2038- 95
2019 Avennia ‘Red Willow Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Coming from old plantings (1991) at the top of the hill at the Red Willow Vineyard, the 2019 ‘Red Willow Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon shows off tar and pencil lead notes alongside dusty soils, cigar ash and black currant jelly. The palate is deep and refined with very elegant tannins. Intense dark fruits parade with espresso grounds, dried herbs and suggestions of creme de violette. Drink this beauty over then ext two decades. Drink 2022-2040- 96