After a long day of work last Thursday I sat down with the new Leonetti wines from the 2019 vintage. For many 2019 brought a host of issues with Bordeaux varietals, with the early October freeze forcing a litany of producers to pick their grapes. This led to some wines being lean, linear and lacking mid-palate flavor density and flavor complexity.
This was now the second time I had the chance to taste the brilliant 2019 single vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon wines by Leonetti. I will fully admit that tasting with winemaker Chris Figgins my jaw dropped after my first taste of their 2019 ‘Holly Roller.’ ‘This is seriously good stuff’ I said. Chris only nodded and smiled.
My second go around with these wines was just as electric. One thing that made these wines so special was their location being high above the freeze done. Unlike most sites in Washington, when the freeze hit the high-elevation Cabernet spots were not impacted. I was blown away with the high elevation 2019 Leonetti Cellar ‘Loess Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 97) which is one of the wines of this vintage and is a massive, tannic beast that really needs a lot of air now if enjoying. The same is true with the scintillating 2019 Leonetti Cellar ‘Serra Pedace Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 97) which is equally hedonistic and dense, with amazing layers of fruit, tannin and underlying finesse. Taste these wines and you will see why they are some of the most compelling you will find in the Pacific Northwest. Learn more at https://leonetticellar.com and here are my reviews of the incredible new single vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon wines by Leonetti Cellar and winemaker Chris Figgins.
2019 Leonetti Cellar ‘Holy Roller Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Surprisingly bright and lithe, the very polished 2019 Leonetti Cellar ‘Holy Roller Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon comes from this stony site in the Walla Walla Rocks District. A beautiful blend of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8% Sangiovese, this unveils layers of smoldering rocks with dried herbs, cigar ash, black currant jelly and boysenberry preserves on the palate. Firm tannins and a wonderful salinity runs through the core of this beautiful wine. Consume now and over the next fifteen plus years. Drink 2022-2038- 96
2019 Leonetti Cellar ‘Serra Pedace Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Located in the SeVein project, the Serra Pedace is a southern Walla Walla Valley site that is set at roughly 1,200 feet. The nose is intense and hedonistic with black rose petals and dark currants that combine with black tea notes that all mingle in the glass. The palate is very deep and concentrated, with beautiful underlying finesse and a lengthy finish. Smooth tannins line the core of concentrated black fruits, as this beautiful wine will live on for at least another twenty years to come. Give this beauty at least an hour in the decanter prior to enjoying, Drink 2022-2042- 97
2019 Leonetti Cellar ‘Loess Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The brilliant and heady 2019 Leonetti Cellar ‘Loess Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon comes from this eastern Walla Walla Valley site on the edge of the Leonetti Estate, set at roughly 1100 feet. Needing about an hour in the decanter to be awoken, once aroused this revels in its beautiful black florals, with pipe tobacco, freshly tilled soils and suggestions of blackberry pie. The palate is very fresh and refined with silky tannins that frame a brilliant core of black cherry, black raspberry and anise tones, alongside graphite and sagebrush undercurrents. This is simply a magical effort from this cooler vintage. Drink 2022-2042- 97
2019 Leonetti Cellar ‘Mill Creek Upland Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- You will love the 2019 Leonetti Cellar ‘Mill Creek Upland Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon which is well-structured, yet massive and dense. Coming from this high-elevation site on the eastern side of the Walla Walla Valley, the wine unveils sagebrush and crushed mint notes alongside Black Forest Cake and coffee grounds on the nose. The palate is soft and refined, showing serious concentration and finesse. Finishing long with black currants and copious minerals, this is gorgeous wine to consume now and over the next twenty years. Give this at least two hours in the decanter if savoring in its bright youth. Drink 2022-2042- 97