One of the standout producers on Red Mountain, Upchurch Vineyard is a sight to be seen. Located in the southwestern part of the AVA, the winery has expansive views of the Columbia Valley from their estate create an incredible panoramic effect. For those who have never visited Upchurch Vineyard, I implore you to visit if nothing else for the beauty of the site.
Chris Upchurch is one of the great pioneers in Washington wine, having crafted the finest Bordeaux style white wine for DeLille, the ‘Chaleur Estate Blanc’ in the mid-1990s. This wine has achieved incredible acclaim since that time and not only is one of the great white wines made in Washington but it rivals any Bordeaux Blanc style wines made in the new world.
Chris crafts one of the great Sauvignon Blancs in Washington, his 2020 Upchurch Vineyard ‘Southwest Facing’ Sauvignon Blanc (OB, 93) has an amazing combination of finesse and texture. It is a steal at under 40 dollars. Equally good for the price at under 30 dollars is the new 2021 LTL Rose (OB, 92) which is made from Mourvedre grapes and is nearly impossible to put down. I am enamored by their new wine, the 2019 Upchurch Vineyard ‘Hero Twins’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 96) which is considerably more open than when I tasted the wine seven months ago. This is a massive beast of a wine that really needs another year of bottle age prior to consuming. Learn more about this fantastic winery at https://upchurchvineyard.com Here are the beautiful new wines by Upchurch Vineyard.
2020 Upchurch Vineyard ‘Southwest Facing’ Sauvignon Blanc- This beautiful 2020 Sauvignon Blanc was sourced from the Boushey Vineyard in the Yakima Valley. Stored for eighteen months in concrete egg tanks, this offers white peach, toasted cashew nut and saline drenched gooseberry notes that all sing in unison. The palate is rich and concentrated with a seamless texture and generous length. Enjoy this beautiful wine over the next seven plus years. Drink 2022-2029- 93
2021 LTL Rose- Made from Moruvedre grapes, the 2021 LTL Rose is a delightful new bottling that shows outstanding finesse and concentration. Once on the attack a kiss of sweetness greets you, as guava puree, cranberry, red rose water and flinty minerals combine with shades of wild mushroom on the palate. Outstanding to consume now, this will hold for at least another five years. Drink 2022-2027- 92
2019 LTL Merlot- The 2019 LTL Merlot was sourced from the Upchurch Vineyard, and offers red plum, cigar ash and cocoa powder dusted red cherry on the nose. The palate is very pure and smooth with ripe red fruits that mingle with a fantastic sense of salinity. Drink this sensational value over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2022-2030- 92
2019 LTL Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2019 LTL Cabernet Sauvignon is a beautiful new effort by the talented Chris Upchurch. Black cherry compote, scorched earth and black licorice all combine on the nose. The palate is soft and elegant with a silky texture. This shows excellent concentration and power, considering the coolness of the vintage. With no rough edges this beautiful wine is great to consume now and over the next eight plus years. Drink 2022-2030- 92
2020 LTL ‘Heart of the Hill Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Very dense and dark once in the glass, the delicious 2020 LTL ‘Heart of the Hill Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon delivers Black Forest Cake tones alongside tar and anise on the nose. The palate is rich and refined with silky tannins that line the core of black and blue fruits with espresso grounds and scorched earthy undertones. Drink 2022-2033- 93
2019 Upchurch Vineyard ‘Counterpart’ Merlot- The 20219 ‘Counterpart’ is a silky and savory Merlot by Chris Upchurch. A blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, this was stored in 100% new French Oak (Taransaud & Orion) prior to bottling. The nose is truly gorgeous with red rose petals, blackberry cordial, and mocha tones. The palate is polished and fresh with good verve and viscosity. Medium to full-bodied dark fruits collide with red bell pepper, garrigue, and chocolate covered espresso bean. Great to enjoy in its youth, enjoy this beautiful wine that will be shining brightly for the next fifteen years. Drink 2022-2037- 93
2019 Upchurch Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon- This is the tenth edition of this wine which is sourced from the southwestern part of Red Mountain. A blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon with the reminder Merlot, this opens with pencil lead and sandalwood notes alongside creme de cassis and hints of blackberry compote. The palate is fresh and polished with a silky texture and good length. Everything is beautifully in balance here. Enjoy this sensational new wine over the next fifteen to twenty years. Drink 2022-2037- 95
2019 Upchurch Vineyard ‘Hero Twins’ Cabernet Sauvignon- In the Mayan tradition the Hero Twins was the story of the genesis of the Sun and the Moon. Entirely Clone 2 Cabernet Sauvignon from Upchurch Vineyard, this was stored in a combination of new Seguin Moreau & Taransaud oak barrels prior to bottling. This really needs more than two hours in the decanter to be fully expressive. Once aroused this unveils beautiful red rose petals, freshly tilled loamy soils, red bell pepper and boysenberry preserves on the nose. The palate is hedonistic and very tannic as massive black and blue fruits greet you with the lovely potpourri and herbal undertones of the wine. With more air this becomes more elegant and refined. Only 50 cases made. Drink 2023-2040- 96