When I am tasting through the latest Avennia wines I typically post immediately on them because they are just so good. A premier producers of Rhone and Bordeaux varietals, Avennia is a joint venture between former Microsoft exec Marty Taucher and winemaker Chris Peterson. These wines are incredibly consistent and extremely well-made.
Former DeLille Cellars Winemaker Chris Peterson crafts some beautiful, concentrated and well-structured wines for Avennia. I think he did an amazing job with his 2020 wines where many other producers did not fare as well. I love the new 2021 Avennia ‘Gravura’ Red Wine (OB, 93) which will only get better with time and shows lovely texture and weight from this warm vintage. Learn more about these special wines at avennia.com Here are my reviews of the new Avennia wines.
2022 Lydian ‘Alto’ White Wine-The really good 2022 ‘Alto’ shows a bright sense of tension once on the mouth. Layers of green melon, kiwi and copious minerals all combine brilliantly on the palate. Enjoy now. Drink 2023-2027- 91
2021 Lydian ‘GSM’ Red Wine- The 2021 ‘GSM’ shows beautiful smoky and savory notes on the nose with bright red fruits. The palate is soft and inviting with a smooth texture. Drink 2023-2027- 91
2021 Lydian Cabernet Sauvignon- The outstanding Lydian Cabernet Sauvignon showcases this warm vintage. It shows good ripeness and density from this vintage with a soft mouthfeel. Black currants and tobacco leaf combine with milk chocolate notes on the palate. Drink 2023-2028- 91
2021 Avennia ‘Gravura’ Red Wine- A killer wine from a great vintage, the 2021 ‘Gravura’ is mainly Cabernet Sauvignon (46%) and Merlot (42%) with the remainder Cabernet Franc. It is rich and bold with a smooth mouthfeel that is really inviting. Cassis and sagebrush flavors line the palate, alongside coffee grounds and dark chocolate shavings. This is seriously good even at the two year mark. Drink 2023-2033- 93
2021 Avennia ‘Champoux Vineyard’ Cabernet Franc- This fantastic 2021 Cabernet Franc comes from the famed Champoux Vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills. An inky tone in the glass, this offers violets and dark currants on the nose alongside sandalwood and espresso ground notes. The palate is plush and refined with a silky texture with fantastic concentration, verve and balance. This is up there with the finest Cabernet Franc you willl taste in Washington. Drink 2023-2038- 96