For years I have admired the wines of Charlie Hoppes. I’ll never forget stepping in their Red Mountain tasting room right after it was completed. Charlie was grinning ear to ear as he poured his beautiful wines. A longstanding history in Washington wine, Charlie Hoppes 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. After some time, Hoppes wanted to start his own project. Hoppes finally decided 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.
I loved the new wines coming from the 2019 vintage. These are wines that are packed with power but show more restraint than the 2018 bottling. Check out the 2019 Fidelitas ’Ciel du Coeval’ Cabernet Franc (OB, 93) which is very pretty on the nose and soft once on the attack, with lovely florals. I loved the new 2019 Fidenitas ‘Heart of the Hill Vineyard’ Malbec (OB, 93) which is densely packed with black and blue fruits, showing some good aging potential. Learn more about the great Fidelitas lineup at http://www.fidelitaswines.com/ Here are the great new wine releases from Fidelitas.
2019 Fidelitas ‘Ciel du Cheval’ Cabernet Franc- This 100% varietal wine was given 25% new French oak for 20 months prior to bottlong. Violets and tar combine with rich boysenberry cordial on the nose. The palate is fresh and polished with a soft mouthfeel. Layers of rich red and dark fruits combine with good verve on the palate. Enjoy this beautiful wine over the next ten to twelve years. Drink 2022-2034- 92
2019 Fidelitas ‘Ciel du Cheval Vineyard’ Merlot- Also 100% varietal, and aged in 50% new French oak, this displays black cherry cordial with black olive tapenade and cocoa powder. The palate is polished and fresh with silky tannins that line this deeply concentrated yet well-structured wine. Gorgeous now, this has some good aging potential. Drink 2022-2036- 93
2019 Fidelitas ‘Ciel du Cheval Vineyard’ Red Wine- The right bank inspired 2019 ‘Red Wine’ is a silky blend of 50% Merlot with 33% Cabernet Sauvignon and small portions Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Aged in 66% new French oak, this delivers rich black currant and loganberry flavors alongside Turkish coffee and graphite undertones on the palate. Really good to consume now, enjoy this over the next fifteen years. Drink 2022-2037- 93
2019 Fidelitas’ Ciel du Cheval Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Dense and chewy, the outstanding 2019 Fidelitas Ciel du Cheval Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon is a great showing from this slightly cooler vintage. Chocolate covered black cherry and coffee ground flavors mingle with minerals and graphite tones on the palate. Drink 2022-2037- 93
2019 Fidelitas ‘Ciel du Cheval Vineyard’ Petit Verdot- The 2019 Fidelitas ‘Ciel du Cheval Vineyard’ Petit Verdot is a beautiful single-varietal wine that really needs a long decant to get going. The wine shows loads of potential with black currant jelly, espresso bean, green bell pepper, scorched earth and gobs of mineality. Heady and dense, this will easily go for fifteen years. Drink 2022-2027- 93
2019 Fidelitas ‘Optu’ Red Wine- A blend of mainly Cabernet Sauvignon (66%) with 20% Merlot and equal parts Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, this was sourced from a range of vineyards including The Canyons, WeatherEye and Klipsun Vineyards. Silky and elegant, everything works in this blend, as rich dark fruits mingle with milk chocolate, sagebrush and tar tones on the palate. Refined and delicious, this is fantastic to consume even at the three year mark. Drink 2022-2032- 92
2019 Fidelitas ‘Old Vines’ Merlot- Sourced from mostly Ciel du Cheval fruit (1975 planting) with the remainder sourced from the Kiona Vineyard, this exudes class with anise, Black Forest Cake and anise and sagebrush tones on the palate. Showing good weight and length, this shows salty undertones that impress, as this is killer wine to enjoy right now and over the next fifteen years. Drink 2022-2036- 93
2019 Fidelitas ‘Heart of the Hill’ Malbec- Fidelitas began sourcing from this vineyard in 2013, as this inky colored wine was aged in 28% new French and American oak prior to bottling. Blueberry pie, mocha, black rose water, anise and dried herbs all come together marvelously on the palate. Soft and approachable right now, this generous, well-structured Malbec will deliver drinking enjoyment over the next fifteen years. Drink 2022-2037- 93
2019 Fidelitas ‘Heart of the Hill’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2019 Fidelitas ‘Heart of the Hill’ Cabernet Sauvignon is a glorious effort for this cooler vintage. Inky in the glass, this shows violets and creme de cassis alongside sandalwood notes aromatically. Refined tannins frame a massive core of black and blue fruit alongside plenty of tension on the palate. Enjoy this gorgeous Cabernet Sauvignon over the next fifteen to twenty years. Drink 2022-2038- 94