Brothers making great wines — that is the story of Madrona Bay. James Stickney graduated from the University of Washington with a Major in microbiology and a minor in statistics. In 2019 James graduated with his Diploma in wine and spirits from the Wine and Spirits education trust. He currently applies is trade making wine at Betz Family Winery. His brother, Pearce Stickney went a different route; dropping out of college to pursue a career with Starbucks coffee. Pearce worked through the ranks, managing stores in various Washington cities for the company. In 2019 Pearce graduated with his Diploma in Wine and Spirits from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust and has been working at K Vintners for several years under Brennon Leighton.
The brothers team for a micro-production winery and their wines by Madrona Bay come from a range of vineyards including the Olsen and Les Vignes Letendre sites in the Yakima Valley. Tasting with James, I was very impressed with his current lineup. The best wine I tasted was the 2019 Madrona Bay ‘Olsen Vineyard’ Counoise (OB, 93) which is powerful and dense, yet shows a pretty, fragrant character. Don’t miss out on this beauty. Learn more at https://www.madronabaywine.com and here are my reviews of the new Madrona Bay wines.
2019 Madrona Bay ‘Les Vignes Letendre’ Grenache- This comes from a site located in the Yakima Valley right next to the Olsen Vineyard which is set on fractured basalt. This underwent 100% whole cluster fermentation, as this was stored in neutral oak before bottling. This comes off very perfumed with red rose petals with red cherry compote, garrigue and stony undertones. The palate is very fresh and soft with a silky mouthfeel. Layers of pretty red fruits collide with stony minerals and salty undertones. Delicious now, enjoy over the next eight years. Drink 2023-2029- 92
2019 Madrona Bay ‘Olsen Vineyard’ Counoise- Coming from this famed site in the Yakima Valley, the 2019 ‘Olsen Vineyard’ Counoise was stored in one neutral oak barrel and was given 100% whole cluster fermentation. This displays white pepper and Asian spices with potpourri and pretty guava tones. The palate shows a beautiful purity of fruit. Soft and silky on the mouth, this is very elegant wine that shows like a spicy Grenache — but this wine is all its own. Only 15 cases made. Drink 2023-2030- 93
2019 Madrona Bay ‘Elocution’ Red Wine- This is the one red blend that Madrona Bay makes, as this Rhone inspired wine combines 50% Syrah with smaller parts Mourvèdre, Counoise and Grenache. This mostly underwent whole cluster fermentation and was stored in natural oak before bottling. Very smoky and spicy on the nose with ripe roasted fig, blackberry and wild thyme notes. The palate is very fresh, as this comes off a touch lean with light red fruits with exotic spices and charcuterie accents. Drink 2023-2029- 91
2019 Madrona Bay ‘Les Vignes Letendre’ Syrah- This has roughly 25% Boushey Vineyard Syrah blended in, as the wine was stored in 100% neutral oak prior to bottling. Smoked meats and ripe dark cherry compote flavors fill the nose, with herbal accents. The palate is very wild and fresh with lovely sagebrush, yarrow and rabbitbrush notes alongside lighter dark fruit flavors. Enjoy now and over the next six years. Drink 2023-2029- 91
2019 Madrona Bay ’45 degrees 199 degrees west’ Red Wine- Coming from the Horse Heaven Hills AVA, the 45 degrees 199 degrees west’ utilizes an older clone of Cabernet Sauvignon from the Martinez Vineyard that was stored in neutral oak. Walnut and boysenberry notes combine with salty and savory notes on the palate. Enjoy now and over the next eight years. Drink 2023-2031- 90
2019 Madrona Bay ‘Heart of the Hill Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The gorgeous 2019 ‘Heart of the Hill Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon was stored in neural oak before bottling. This is dense and heady on the mouth, with loads of refined tannins that combine with scorched earth, wild blackberry cobbler, anise, chocolate pie and a dusting of white pepper. Drink 2023-2035- 92