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Owen Bargreen

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Here I am enjoying a cocktail with winemaker and founder Chris Upchurch of Upchurch Vineyard.

Upchurch Vineyard

February 16, 2023

Not only one of my favorite wineries to visit but one of the finest 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.

One of the legends in Washington wine, Chris Upchurch 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 love the new 2020 Upchurch Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 95) which is clean and dense — a massive success from this challenging vintage. 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

2020 LTL Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2020 LTL Cabernet Sauvignon is an exceptionally made wine from this challenging vintage on Red Mountain. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Upchurch Estate Vineyard, this opens with beautiful black florals alongside tar and rich dark currant tones on the nose. The palate is soft and inviting with a smooth texture. Layres of roasted dates combine with boysenberry syrup and milk chocolate on the palate. Enjoy this outstanding value now and over the next eight years. Drink 2023-2031- 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 2023-2033- 93

2020 Upchurch Vineyard ‘Counterpart’ Merlot- The 2020 Upchurch Vineyard ‘Counterpart’ is a beautiful effort from this challenging vintage. The Merlot blends in Red Mountain 13% Cabernet Sauvignon, as this was carefully stored in 94% New French Oak (Taransaud & Orion) prior to bottling. Intense red florals and Asian spices mark the nose alongside cassis, worn leather and notes of scorched earth. The palate comes off very clean and fresh, with no rough edges. You are greeted to medium to full-bodied red and dark fruit flavors that meld well with milk chocolate, tobacco leaf and espresso grounds. While outstanding to consume now, this is gorgeous Merlot that will easily cellar well or another decade. But why wait? Drink 2023-2032- 93

2020 Upchurch Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon- A resounding success in 2020, this is now the eleventh edition of this wine which is entirely from the Upchurch Estate Vineyard, a small site located in the southwestern part of Red Mountain. Like the 2019, this blends 90% Cabernet Sauvignon with the reminder Merlot. Aged in 100% new Taransaud oak barrels, this shows off toasty oak with pencil lead aromas alongside huckleberry compote, dark chocolate shavings and Turkish coffee notes. The palate is rich and voluptuous, with a silky texture and beautiful structure, showing refined tannins. This is exactly what a top winemaker can do in a difficult vintage. With great viscosity and flavor density, this beauty will show well for at least another fifteen years. Give this an hour in the decanter if enjoying now. Drink 2023-2038- 95

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