I love wines from the relatively new Royal Slope AVA. Gård Vintners was one of the pivotal houses in establishing this exciting new Washington AVA. Gård was founded by brothers Sandy and John Lawrence, who have farmed the Royal Slope for more than 50 years, along with John’s son Josh, who joined the operation in 2002. The winery is managed by Josh and his wife, Lisa, who oversees sales and marketing, while Josh oversees the vineyard and other farm and orchard operations. For years Gård Vintners relied on winemaker Aryn Morell and they have hired a new winemaker Matías Kúsulas of Chile who has taken over as head winemaker and viticutlurist for Gård Vintners and Desert Wind Winery.
The new lineupr Gård Vintners is remarkably consistent across the board. I love the 2021 Gård Vintners ‘Grand Klasse’ Rose (OB, 91) which his fresh and beautifully textured. Don’t miss on the incredible 2019 Gård Vintners ‘Thunderstone’ Syrah (OB, 94) which shows wonderful umami notes and is very fresh and viscous. Learn more about these great wines at gardvintners.com Here are the beautiful new wines by Gård Vintners.
2021 Gard Vintners ‘Grand Klasse Reserve’ Rose- Made from Grenache grapes from the Royal Slope AVA, this beautiful Provencale style Rose offers watermelon, green papaya, and flinty undertones with nutty accent on the palate. Nicely textured, with a soft mouthfeel, enjoy over the next several years. Drink 2022-2026- 91
2021 Gard Vintners ‘Freya’ White Wine- The 2021 ‘Freya’ is another standout value by Gard Vintners. A blend of mostly Viognier (73%) with the remainder Roussanne, this delivers ripe melon with honeysuckle and tangerine blossom on the nose. Very smooth on the mouth, this astringent and mineral-driven Viognier blend is best consumed right now while the bright tension remains intact. Drink 2022-2026- 91
2019 Gard Vintners ‘Reverence’ Red Wine- Nearly all Grenache (91%) with a splash of Syrah, this shows off smoked brisket with red cherry starburst candy and smoldering stones on the nose, with bergamot notes. Very fresh and nicely textured, this shows good depth, as this downright delicious Grenache will cellar well for another eight to ten years. Drink 2022-2030- 92
2019 Gard Vintners ‘Vaucluse’ Red Wine- The 2019 ‘Vaucluse’ is a beautiful blend of 61% Syrah with the remainder Grenache which was sourced from the Royal Slope AVA. Very smoky and savory, with salty undertones, this displays Kalamata olive tapenade, blackberry compote, and garrigue notes with bright underlying acidity. Enjoy now and over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2022-2030- 92
2019 Gard Vintners ‘Kvasir’ Red Wine- The ‘Kvasir’ is a mostly Mourvèdre wine (74%) with the remainder Grenache and Syrah. This comes off very stony and fresh with a soft texture. Bright red fruits collide with smoked pork shoulder and orange zest flavors on the palate. Enjoy now and over the next eight years. Drink 2022-2030- 92
2019 Gard Vintners ‘Grand Klasse’ Syrah- Showing a deep core, the 2019 ‘Grand Klasse’ Syrah offers loganberry cordial with black currants, smoke and wet stone notes on the nose. This is deep and concentrated on the palate, loaded with rich dark fruits with tobacco leaf, milk chocolate and shades of creosote. This is seriously good Syrah that will age gracefully for at least another decade. Drink 2022-2032- 93
2019 Gard Vintners ‘Thunderstone’ Syrah- This outstanding, downright stunning 2019 ‘Thunderstone’ is a one of a kind100% Syrah which was sourced from the Royal Slope AVAVery stony as the name suggests, this offers a literal cornucopia of flavors. Green olives and charcuterie notes combine with boysenberry preserves, and salted black truffle all brilliantly meld together on the palate. Really serious, don’t sit on this beauty and enjoy now. Drink 2022-2028- 94
2019 Gard Vintners ‘Stoneridge Vineyard’ Syrah- The 2019 ‘Stoneridge Vineyard’ Syrah comes from this esteemed site known for world-class Syrah which is located in the Royal Slope AVA. 33% Tempranillo has been blended in, as this shows off wonderful viscosity on the mouth. Earl grey tea with dusty soils combine with espresso grounds, creosote and salted beef carpaccio on the palate. Really good now, enjoy over the next ten years. Drink 2022-2032- 93
2019 Gard Vintners ‘The Don’ Red Wine- The 2019 ‘The Don’ Red Wine is an outstanding value wine by Gard. Forward and juicy red and dark fruits combine on the palate, with copious minerals. Enjoy this great wine now and over the next seven years. Drink 2022-2029- 90
2019 Gard Vintners Cabernet Sauvignon- A touch sweet, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon by Gard Vintners, shows cassis notes that combine with milk chocolate and blackberry compote on the palate. Very fruity, enjoy now and over the next five years. Drink 2022-2027- 90
2019 Gard Vintners Malbec- Dark and brooding, the 2019 Gard Malbec shows huckleberry and black cherry flavors that mingle with minerals and good depth on the palate. Enjoy now and over the next five to seven years. This is a killer steak wine. Drink 2022-2028- 91
2019 Gard Vintners ‘Connor Lee Vineyard’ Red Wine- The right bank inspired 2019 ‘Connor Lee Vineyard’ Red Wine combines mostly Merlot (60% with smaller portions Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. This is very juicy with bright acidity and light tannins that frame a beautiful core of red fruit flavors. Leather and coffee ground flavors emerge, as this is best enjoyed over the next ten years. Drink 2022-2032- 92
2019 Gard Vintners ‘Solaksen Vineyard’ Red Wine- The 2019 ‘Solaksen Vineyard’ combines 60% Cabernet Sauvignon with the remainder Cabernet Franc and Malbec. The Cabernet Franc is singing in high octave with its red bell pepper notes that combine with chocolate covered red cherry, espresso grounds and suggestions of black tea. Finishing long with black fruits and minerals enjoy now and over the next decade. Drink 2022-2032- 92
2019 Gard Vintners ‘Winemaker’s Select’ Red Wine- Sourced from the Lawrence Vineyards, the 2019 ‘Winemaker’s Select’ shows off pretty black florals on the nose with tar, mocha and rice roasted fig flavors. The palate is rich and refined with no rough edges. Very approachable now, with good underlying finesse and a deep core of dark fruits, this is beautifully made Cabernet Sauvignon that will cellar well for another fifteen years. Drink 2022-2037- 92