Today we introduce some of the finest people you will find in the Washington Wine Industry. For years I have enjoyed tasting at their SoDo location as Structure Cellars focuses their program on high quality red wine that exudes value. Head winemaker and co-owner Brian Grasso is a former sommelier that trained under Washington wine legend Chris Sparkman of Sparkman Cellars before starting his own winery. Brian is a really easy-going, down to earth guy. He’s passionate and dedicated to making high quality, good value wines. He and his wife Brandee also own an adjacent, very cool sparkling wine bar called Love Beats Pagne (https://www.lovebeatspagne.com) that my wife is particularly fond of.
When you enter Structure Cellars you will no doubt see Brian’s head beating back and forth as he personally tastes people on his lineup. 2020 was not an easy vintage to navigate but he did a really good job with the wines, despite the conditions late in the year. I adored his 2020 Structure Cellars ‘Wallula Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 92) which has gorgeous underlying tension and a salty presence. This is a really cool wine that should be enjoyed now and over the next eight or so years. Learn more about these excellent wines at structurewines.com and here are the great new wines by Structure Cellars.
2021 Structure Cellars ‘Frenchman Hills Vineyard’ Chardonnay- This outstanding Chardonnay displays a ripe texture with beautiful and opulent Japanese pear, ripe peach and pineapple flavors that combine with silty soils on the palate. Medium to full-bodied, enjoy this delicious bottling now and over the next seven years. Drink 2023-2030- 92
2021 Structure Cellars ‘Olsen Vineyard’ Roussanne- The 2021 Structure Cellars ‘Olsen Vineyard’ Roussanne comes from this outstanding site in the Yakima Valley. Very fresh and soft on the mouth, this delivers Macadamia nut tones on the palate, with wild mushroom, cantaloupe and shades of cardamom, with considerable underlying tension. Enjoy now and over the next five plus years. Drink 2023-2028- 92
2020 Structure Cellars ‘Stillwater Creek Vineyard’ Cabernet Franc- The beautiful 2020 ‘Stillwater Creek Vineyard’ Cabernet Franc is a great showing from this challenging vintage. Fragrant on the nose with potpourri, this displays ripe red fruit flavors that combine with cigar ash and shades of black licorice. Enjoy over the next several years. Drink 2023-2028- 90
2020 Structure Cellars ‘Foundation’ Cabernet Franc- Very herbal and bright, with gobs of mouth-watering acidity, the very linear 2020 Structure Cellars ‘Foundation’ Cabernet Franc offers tar and red currant flavors alongside red floral water on the palate. Enjoy now. Drink 2023-2027- 90
2020 Structure Cellars ‘Olsen Brothers’ Merlot- Soft and approachable now, the 2020 Structure Cellars ‘Olsen Brothers’ Merlot displays ripe red cherry flavors with tobacco leaf, white pepper and shades of milk chocolate. Drink 2023-2027- 90
2020 Structure Cellars ‘Stillwater Creek Vineyard’ Syrah- Savory and tasty right now, the 2020 ‘Stillwater Creek Vineyard’ Syrah shows bacon fat, tar and anise tones with lighter dark currant notes on the palate. Medium-bodied with good finesse, enjoy now and over the next five years. Drink 2023-2028- 91
2020 Structure Cellars ‘Wallula Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Coming from this scenic site set on the Columbia River, the 2020 Structure Cellars ‘Wallula Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon offers ripe red currants, rose water and tobacco flavors on the palate with plenty of finesse and dark chocolate shaving and salty undertones. Showing some bright acidity, this nuanced Cabernet Sauvignon is drinking beautifully now. Drink 2023-2028- 92
2020 Structure Cellars ‘Stillwater Creek Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Sourced from this cooler site in the Royal Slope AVA, the Cabernet Sauvignon shows off wild blackberry, black currant jelly and shades of asphalt on the nose. The palate is soft and inviting with a smooth texture and light texture. Drink 2023-2027- 90
2020 Structure Cellars ‘Foundation’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2020 ‘Foundation’ Cabernet Sauvignon shows tar, method and tobacco leaf on the palate with copious minerals. Medium-bodied, enjoy now. Drink 2023-2027- 90